January 13, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 15, 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

“More of You in My Life This Year”

John 21:25

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Today’s food for thought shares a few random questions for reflections based on the final passage of the gospel of John.

First of all, this final passage in John leads me to think about death. If you’ve attended funerals, you’ve heard sincere and moving eulogies. Always, they describe the kind of life the deceased led during his/her years as a parent or as a spouse or as a member of a church or the community and so forth. They describe all kinds of good and virtuous impact he/she has had on the family, the church, co-workers, and others. This last statement of John has that ring to it.

So, what will be said of me or you when all is done? Will we have done many things well? How will you live so that you’ve made a meaningful impact for eternal purposes?

Secondly, as John reminds us that Jesus did “many other things as well,” I understand that Jesus did things well because He simply followed what the Father was already doing (John 5:19). All of the works that Jesus accomplished turned out to be good works because He followed in the steps of a good Father.

So, how are you doing in terms of following in the steps of a good Father? Are you engaging in His good works? Where do you see Him at work and extending an invitation to you, especially through your church?

Finally, John comments that there were so many good things Jesus did that no amount of books in our world could record them all. (Such hyperbole may be a literary convention, but in this case it is quite literally true, for there is no limit to the riches that are in Christ Jesus.)*

Here, I imagine the names of people that Jesus touched, healed, taught, and saved. I imagine an immensely thick book about the height of a sequoia tree (hey…my imagination) where the pages are filled with people’s names and family trees, and all of them filled with their own countless stories of how Jesus literally changed their lives. I imagine this book to have names that are written the English alphabet, Latin, Chinese characters, Persian alphabet, and many others. That’s the kind of impact that Jesus has had because He did many things well.

Do you believe that God wants to use you to bring His ministry to the tens, hundreds, thousands of people around your life? Do you know that God wants to use you to bring His glory to the nations? Lord, I want more of You in my life this year.

*The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

Prayer: Lord, use me in 2024. Stretch me like You have never done before. Make me more like Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 14-15

January 12, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 3, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Masterpieces on Display”

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In college, three friends and I completed our Senior Design project together. As a team, we spent a lot of effort brainstorming, building, and creating the final product–even using our own money to buy parts and finish it. We were quite proud of our final product. Naturally, that’s what we presented officially to our teachers and classmates: the final product. We never pulled out the simplistic proof-of-concept, the machine parts that burned out, or other rough drafts we had scrapped.

The things we are most proud of, the objects that show our talent, gifts, and skills are the ones we put on display. Isn’t it amazing that God’s word says that we are similar? We are not rough drafts or beings that He would rather hide. We are His handiwork—creations that He has meticulously shaped and created. And God has allowed us to roam around the earth to display His skill and artistry.

Perhaps today you and I don’t feel consider ourselves masterpieces. But the truth is that God, through Jesus Christ, has given each of us the great honor of displaying Him. This should lift up our heads to know that He has dreamed up and given each of us glorious new life, identity, and purpose. We are not forgotten by God, but rather we are His valuable, thoughtful creations.

We are bearing His image today! So, let’s reflect on what it means for us to individually bear His image. It is not meant to inflate our egos—instead, He has our work cut out for us. We each are meant to show the world a different facet of His character and goodness. Today, let’s take time to think about what it means for us to display who our God is and orient our lives around that purpose.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your love for us. How astounding that You have given each person specific purpose. Would You gently show us how You want to use us and help us not to waste our opportunities to display who You are. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:12-18:Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Questions to Consider

What are the attributes of a believer who has had salvation work out in his/her life?
What are the results of having this salvation life transforming our lives?
Why is “fear and trembling” important to mention when it comes to working out our salvation? Are we doing the same in our sanctification process with God?

Notes

Attributes of our salvation changing us include a cheerful, uncomplaining spirit (v. 15), a purity that is set-apart from the world (v. 15), and a steadfast faith (v. 16).
Not only is God displayed as we present a different character than that of the world; other believers, like Paul, will also give praise and glory to God from seeing our faith bearing fruit in character and witness.
The word says that ”it is God who works in you to will and to act,” meaning that any kind of transformation comes directly from God, not our own attempt at behavior modification. Therefore, our ability to transform ourselves is wholly dependent on the God who shapes us! Let’s take dependence on Him as our role in this transformation.

Evening Reflection

Was there an opportunity for you today to display God? Let’s reflect on a particular conversation or an acquaintance that He might be giving us opportunity to represent our Savior, and pray for more chances tomorrow.

January 11, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 23, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Spiritual Gifts – Meaning and Purpose”

1 Corinthians 12:1-7

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

If you ever played organized team sports, you know the importance of finding your specific role on the team according to your abilities. Growing up, I played Little League baseball competitively, and I got to be on some winning teams. What made some of these teams successful was a common understanding that the pitcher, catcher, first basemen, and all the other positions understood what they were good at and also knew the role they played for the betterment of the team.

Paul dedicates Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians to spiritual gifts – the source, purpose, and importance of them, and so for the next few days, that’s what we’ll be focusing on. In this chapter, he tells us that we all have roles in the body of Christ and teaches how each one of us plays a crucial role in building up one another.

The word “gift” (v.4) is the Greek Word “charisma” which means “gift of grace.” Spiritual gifts are not natural talents or skills, but rather they are supernaturally given by the Holy Spirit only and always to believers in Jesus Christ. These gifts are given to believers to equip others in the Body of Christ. He also points out that there are varieties of gifts, which means that God distributes His gifts in many forms, in many varieties to His children for use in the kingdom of God.

Do you know the gifts God has given you? More importantly, are you putting them into use to build up the body of Christ? One practical way you can apply this passage is to take a spiritual gifts test, and ask others who know you to identify certain spiritual gifts they see in you. My prayer is that we would maximize our gifts for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the spiritual gifts You give to Your children. Help us today to know and use the gifts You ask us to steward. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 12

Lunch Break Study

Matthew 25:14-30: “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Questions to Consider

What is common among the men Jesus gives talents to?
What is the reason Jesus commends the two men and rebukes the third?
How does our view of God determine how we use our talents?

Notes

Jesus gives talents to all the servants in this parable. It is unclear if talents were actually money or abilities, but it is clear that Jesus gives all of his believers talents that He entrusts them with.
Jesus’ response was determined by how the servants put the talents to use. It should be a challenge for us to see if we are also putting our talents to use. As His children, we should desire to hear those words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
The third servant saw Jesus as a “hard man” (v. 25) and did not take his responsibility seriously. When we see Jesus as our Father who desires the best for His children, it should give us motivation to put our individual talents to use as well.

Evening Reflection

Take some time reflecting on the passages you read today. What challenged you? Ask Him to speak to you as you spend time in prayer and worship.

January 10, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 2, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Theory vs. Execution”

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

For more than ten years, I have followed food bloggers intently. Whenever I tell people, they become acutely interested and ask, “Are you a good cook?” Unfortunately, I must say no. I have acquired a lot of knowledge through these blogs, their videos, and eating, but I’ve spent very little time actually practicing any of those things. I can throw fancy words around like “julienne” and “batonnet,” but I am totally unable to follow through in reality. What a waste it is to know so much and be so terrible in execution. Because it’s never translated from my head to my hands, all this knowledge is essentially useless.

In one of his closing passages, Paul exhorts the church of Philippi to intently fill their minds with godly things. However, he follows by saying that they must also practice what they have seen and heard. It is not enough to merely know the right things and to spend time pondering them. These truths and ideals have to be lived out with their lives.

There is no shortage these days of commentaries and insights about the Bible and spiritual life. But when we read them, have we only built an encyclopedia of interesting facts about God, or have these truths taken hold of our lives?

Since you and I are reading this devotional this morning, it’s likely that we try to habitually fill our minds with thoughts of God. But let’s not just settle for good thoughts! We want the truths to transform us. Let’s focus on one or two things we have learned recently that we can put into practice today. Slowly then, as we make our thoughts about God cohere with our activities, we will find that He draws near as we reflect Him in our lifestyle.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us so much about You. We repent of having settled for just collecting information about You when we could have truly encountered You instead and been transformed through applying what we know. Let Your Word transform us so that we can truly live up to what we know. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 11

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Questions to Consider

James draws a distinction between true faith and religiosity. What should we expect true faith to look like?
What does it mean that God’s word could be a “perfect law that gives freedom,” when James has written so many stipulations and rules about holy living?
What is our role in making sure we have true faith? Let’s reflect on whether we are intently doing this.

Notes

True faith results in a transformation of our inner being – not merely rule-keeping but an above-and-beyond character. True faith results in an extraordinary patience, an extraordinary generosity, and a great desire to set ourselves apart from the world.
James writes that the word can save us; it is planted in us, but its growth and fruition is not up to us. The perfect law gives us freedom because now we are under Christ alone. Instead of a burdensome Law with many rules and regulations, we have been given a perfect righetousness that is impossible for us to acquire on our own. Therefore we are free to take part in God’s righteousness, knowing that He has already made a way for us.
James suggests that we must first humbly accept the word. Not only should we be intently familiar with what it says; we must also stay humble to be obedient to it and what it asks of us.

Evening Reflection

Let’s spend time in response to the passage–training our minds to think about what commendable, godly things we saw or learned. Then, let’s ask God for wisdom and obedience to carry out some of these in our lives tomorrow.

January 9, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on March 7, 2017, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun through whom God founded the Radiance Christian Church (S.F.) in 2012. Mark, after stepping down as its Lead Pastor in January of 2023 and a year of sabbatical that followed, just returned to Radiance as a staff.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Divorce”

1 Corinthians 7:10-16 (ESV)

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Surprisingly, surveys reveal that the divorce rate for Christian marriages is comparable to that of non-believers, approximately 50%. I believe that the reason for these high numbers is two-fold: First, some Christians don’t understand the importance of marriage and don’t give it the proper honor, and so they marry unwisely. Second, we don’t take seriously the commands regarding divorce and don’t realize that most cases of divorce are prohibited by the Scriptures. Outside of sexual immorality and unfaithfulness to the marriage covenant, there are no other grounds for divorce. Irreconcilable differences, incompatibility, falling out of love cannot be used before God as an excuse for divorce. Even Christians who are married to non-believers are commanded to stay in their marriages.

Jesus lived in a male dominated society, and so the right to divorce was given only to men. This is why there is no discussion regarding the rights of women to start the divorce process. In our culture, however, women can initiate divorce, and so we need to look at what valid reasons there are for Christian women to divorce. In my understanding, there are two reasons for women to dissolve their marriages: The first obviously is sexual unfaithfulness, but the second is abuse at the hands of their husbands. Abuse is a clear violation of the marriage covenant because the husband is no longer protecting the weaker vessel. According to 1 Peter 3:7, the duty of every husband is to honor woman as the weaker partner. And before our women get overly sensitive or offended, this passage is alluding to weakness in the physical sense. It’s clear that Peter isn’t talking about spiritual or intellectual superiority, because he mentions women as co-heirs with men in the grace of life. Peter’s main focus is for men to treat their wives with respect, which would include protecting them physically. To abuse one’s wife is a clear violation against the marriage covenant, and it is biblical grounds for divorce. Beyond these two circumstances, there are no other valid reasons for divorce.

Now why does God have such stringent requirements for marriage? Doesn’t God want us to be happy? And if I’m not happy, why can’t I just leave? It’s here that we have to realize that marriage is not only for the benefit of man and woman but also for the glory of God. I know that it is difficult to see that connection in our day-to-day lives, but the Christian marriage is meant to be a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. Therefore, our witness to the world is dependant on the health of our marriages. In a world that is questioning the very institution of marriage and redefining its limits, the Christian commitment to marriage as a life-long covenant between one man and one woman is needed more than ever.

Prayer: Lord, help us to honor the institution of marriage as a gift of common grace from Your hand. If we are unmarried, give us the strength to remain sexually pure until the day of our marriage. If we are married, help us to honor the vows that we have made before You and before one another. If by circumstance we are divorced, help us to find healing and restoration through the love of Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Malachi 2:13-16(ESV): And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Questions to Consider

Why does God sometimes reject the offerings of his people?
Why is Christian marriage so important in the eyes of God?
What does God want for our marriages?

Notes

God desires obedience over sacrifice; and in this case, many of the Israelites had divorced their wives in order to marry other women who were leading them towards the worship of foreign gods.
Christian marriage is important because God gives a portion of His Spirit to bless each union between a man and a woman.
Unless you are physically unable, God desires godly offspring from our marriages. God’s desire is that we honor Him with the raising of children who would be taught in the ways of the Lord.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time praying for the marriages and families that you know, in and outside of your church. Perhaps, there is a couple going through difficult times in their marriage or dealing with a wayward child. If you are going through a hard season in your marriage, pray and reach out to a friend or a pastor for counsel.

January 8, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 22, 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

“Football Dads”

Genesis 30:19-20

And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.

I live in a town where high school sports are pretty huge; and as a trickledown effect, youth sports seem to be more important than they should be. So in my son’s and daughter’s 1st and 2nd grade teams, we have our fair share of crazy dads (as well as some coaches) who takes their children’s games a little too seriously. As I’ve gotten a chance to know a few of these overly enthusiastic parents, a fairly common back story has emerged: for many of these parents, high school sports were a highlight of their life. I don’t mean to make these people sound sad—this is generally not the case—but I do think that they would like to relive the “glory days” through their children’s accomplishments on the athletic field.

When it comes to gauging our own success and happiness through our children, it’s not just football dads who are guilty: think about why your parents tell you they immigrated to the U.S. And consider your own heart’s motive as you push your kids to get the best grades or excel in music or sports. For whatever reason, it’s human nature to gauge our success based on the success of our children—that’s the nice way of putting it; the more direct—and slightly a meaner—way of putting it is that we use our kids to make us feel successful. And guess what, this is not a modern phenomenon. In today’s chapter, it’s clear that both Rachel and Leah used their kids— specifically the number of sons they had—to gauge their success as the main matriarch in Jacob’s household. It’s sad but true.

This morning, let me ask you this: how do you gauge success? Do you gauge it on how well your kids do in school or extracurriculars? If you’re not a parent, do you build success on your position at work or your bank account? In the end, whether we have kids or not, success is the same. Do you trust in God, and do you do your best to be faithful in all areas He has given you? If you can answer yes to both of those questions, my guess is that God deems you a success.

Prayer: Lord, give me faith to truly measure success by faithfulness to You. Let me not compare myself to others or use others to make me feel successful. Help me to care for only Your applause. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 3:1-8: My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Questions to Consider

1. What are some keys to finding success in the sight of God?

2. In verses 5-8, the writer gives some benefits of trusting and fearing the Lord; what are they?

3. On a personal level, what does it mean to trust the Lord?

Notes

1. The writer of Proverbs indicates that keeping God’s commandments (v. 1) and binding His love and faithfulness in our hearts (v. 3) will lead to success in God’s eyes.

2. If we trust God and fear Him, He will keep our paths straight (v. 5) and heal and refresh us (v. 8).

3. Personal application.

Evening Reflection

How do you define success? Is it truly based on faithfulness to the Lord and His will in your life, or, do you use other standards? What are your dreams and plans? Ask the Lord to speak into your heart on this matter.

January 7, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on November 13, 2016. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Who Remembers Our Sins?”

Hebrews 8:12-13

“For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.” 13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

A little boy was visiting his grandparents and given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse, he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So Johnny did the dishes.

Later, when Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck.” Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. “I know, Johnny,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.” (Pastor Steven Cole)

Our passage for today reminds us that God (because of Jesus) chooses not to remember our sins, but a more important question is, do we? Many of us allow the Enemy and our own hearts to hold us hostage to the wrongs we’ve done. We hear that voice inside, reminding us of the things we’ve done and making it hard for us to believe change is possible. But 1 John 1:9 promises us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 7:21 says, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Our sins should bring us great sorrow, but not the kind that holds us hostage to guilt, shame, and regret. Instead it should produce a sorrow that leads us running to the throne of God, to receive forgiveness and salvation that Jesus made readily available for us. Where there is lingering regret, we have to wonder if we’ve yet turned to God, confessed our sins and received in faith (in what Jesus has done for us) His forgiveness and the power to live anew.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I worship You on this Lord’s Day, help me to do so with full persuasion that I am forgiven and accepted by You. I confess to You that I have sinned by [confess your sins to the Lord]. Please forgive me. Help me to live now in freedom from condemnation and the in newness of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 8

January 6, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on October 8, 2016. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Beyond Formalities”

Hebrews 10:19-22

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Have you ever noticed a difference in behavior between first-time guests and frequent visitors to your home? In my own experience, I’ve seen a marked difference in my own behavior over the years of visiting an older sister. I went from politely asking to sit on her sofa the first time to, years later, sprawling over her living room, helping myself to what’s in her pantry, and occasionally even showing up late at night to stay over. By making her home my own many times, I clearly demonstrate how secure and assured I’ve become of our close relationship (and also, that she is very patient with me).

Before Christ, worship in the temple was also similarly formal and distant. Even if the people could approach the temple, there were still rules, formalities, and restrictions governing how to approach God – only once a year could the High Priest make his way into the presence of Almighty God (Hebrews 9). But now, on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, the author of Hebrews paints a new picture of bold advances. What was once impossible for common man – directly going into the inner chamber where a holy God dwelt – has become a privilege for each person.

How many of us truly make ourselves at home in God’s presence? When we approach Him, are we fearful that we have no right to be there, or do we believe that we are eagerly welcomed there? Because of Christ, God the Father has no more requirements on any ‘holiness’ or ‘time’ you must satisfy to meet Him. We can now enter His presence in whatever condition, at whatever time, without restriction and without inhibition! And this is the spiritual reality that “many prophets (in the Old Testament) . . . longed to see . . . but did not see it, and to hear . . . but did not hear it” (Matt. 13:17).

Today, let’s give thanks again for His sacrifice that allows us to draw near, and let us not waste the privilege of beholding Him for ourselves. Let’s go into the Father’s courts confidently as His children, knowing that we are welcomed to rightfully dwell in his presence!

Prayer: Father, thank You for making the way for us to draw close to You. Thank You for not being distant but for destroying the barrier that was between us. Thank You for welcoming us into Your presence. Teach us to boldly approach You as Your beloved children. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 6-7

January 5, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on October 6, 2017. A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“All About Jesus”

Genesis 9:26-27

26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth,and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.”

My family has this Bible called the Jesus Storybook Bible that we frequently read to our daughter. Though it was made for children, it is surprisingly blessing to read. The authors ensured that each story somehow points to Jesus, rather than some moral platitude as many other children’s Bibles do. As I read this Bible to my daughter Audrey, I’m encouraged as I remember that Jesus really is the plot behind the entire story of the Bible.

As the Noah narrative is coming to a close, it’s important to remember where Jesus is in this story. Our passage for today shows us how God was preparing even back then for Jesus to come. Shem, one of the children of Noah, is the great-great-great-etc…. grandfather of Jesus. Through the line of Shem would come Abraham, then Isaac, and then Jacob, from whom Israel would be formed. This blessing over Shem is a foreshadow of the blessing God would have on His people Israel, and, ultimately, a foreshadow of the blessing that God would have on Jesus.

Today, let’s remember Jesus, the One whom God was always preparing to send, even from the very beginning. All this preparation and planning shows how great God’s love is for us, because as we know from John 3:16, God sent Jesus because he “so loved the world.” Let’s rejoice that we have a God who has power and uses that power to demonstrate His love for us.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for your great love for us. May we never take for granted the lengths You went to show us the extent of Your love. May our hearts be glad because we have confidence in the power of Your love. Let that bring us great peace this day.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 4:4-7: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Questions to Consider

Why did God send forth His Son?
According to this passage, what do we receive because of our identity as children of God?
In what ways are you living more like a slave than a child of God?

Notes

Verse 5 tells us exactly why God sent His Son: “so that we might receive adoption as sons!” God’s plan all along was to gather together a family, a people who belong to Him. And praise God that He has opened up His family to us through Jesus!
We get the Holy Spirit! V.6 says that “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts”. Notice how in this passage, each of the members of the Trinity are involved: GOD sent the SPIRIT of his SON. So great is God’s love for us that each member of the Trinity is involved!
Slavery to the world is an easy trap to fall into. We get caught up in the worries and busyness of life, that we forget our identity as children. But as children, we have freedom! May you rejoice in that freedom today!

Evening Reflection

Spend time in thanksgiving tonight, thanking God that He has prepared throughout time to send Jesus for You. It can be easy to take this for granted, but, tonight, consciously thank God and praise Him for sending His beloved Son on our behalf.

January 4, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 26, 2017. Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“ Rumination and Stress”

Genesis 16:2:

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Sometimes we can become obsessive over something: Maybe it’s something that happened at work, or it’s something someone said that kind of irked you—you keep replaying the scene in your mind over and over again. You’re thinking about the perfect comeback you wish you had, or what you need to do next. Why do we sometimes let things bother us long after they happen, and why is it so difficult to stop the cycle of stressing, obsessing, and stressing and obsessing? Why is it so easy to fall into this negative cycle?

Psychologists call this “rumination,” and it happens to be a source of stress for many people. It starts out innocently enough—you’re attempting to make sense and move on from a frustrating situation—but rumination can catch you in a circular, self-perpetuating loop of frustration and stress. When you’re dealing with chronic conflicts in your relationships, you may experience stress from too much rumination.

This is essentially what Abram and Sarai are doing. They have been promised by God that they would father many children and become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Unfortunately, he and his wife were getting old with no signs of this promise coming to pass. Instead of trusting in God and His promise, they grew impatient and begin to ruminate on what they can do about it. Out of these negative thoughts came a horrible consequence. The decision to rectify this obsessive feeling would cause much pain and hurt in their family, and really, for the story of humanity. Of course, God does eventually and miraculously fulfill His promise, and they have a child. But not before the damage is done.

Have you become so obsessed with a thought or an idea that you forget to actually trust God for it? Instead of relying on God, are your thoughts and time so consumed with chasing this promise that you forget everything else around you, even God? Consider what you are struggling with today, whether it be negative thoughts that you are bringing into reality. Surrender them to the Lord and ask God to make His promises anew today.

Prayer: God, help me to trust You. Keep me from making decisions out of my impatience. Let me give You all my anxieties, trusting that in Your perfect time, You will fulfill Your promises. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:18-24: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Questions to Consider

1. What is all of creation waiting for (verse 19)?

2. What is all of creation groaning for?

3. In light of where we are ultimately destined for, how can you practice hope today?

Notes

1. Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

2 To be set free from decay and to be redeemed in glory.

3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

We win at the end. How do you know that? “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right” (Billy Graham); so, live like a victor, in Christ. Pray that tomorrow will be an incredible day in the Lord in experiencing His resurrection power (Eph. 1:19).