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

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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.  

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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.  

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

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

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

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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

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

Notes

1. 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!
2. 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!
3. 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!

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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.

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

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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.

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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).

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 5, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“Sanctuary Cities at the Crossroad of Compassion and Justice”

Joshua 20:1-3 (ESV)

Then the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.”

The Yali people, pygmy cannibals in Papua, Indonesia, and several tribes living near them have had an interesting custom.  Once a man fleeing from his enemies enters the place called Osuwa, he is immediately granted protection and safety—no one could touch him, much less hurt him as long as he stays there.  The cities of refuge in ancient Israel served a similar purpose: God told the elders of those cities to admit anyone who kill[ed] a person accidently and unintentionally “into the city and give him a place to live with them.  If the avenger . . . pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused” (Joshua 20:5).

What would, then, be the closest thing to Osuwa or cities of refuge in our country?  To the advocates of undocumented immigrants, it may be “sanctuary city”—a safe harbor to illegal aliens, since special municipal provisions allow people to “avoid cooperating with federal immigrant law enforcement authorities.”  So, what will you do if immigration agents are knocking on your door, upon finding out that you are harboring an illegal alien?

Henri Nouwen, in The Wounded Healer, tells a story of a young fugitive kept hidden by people of a small village.  When the soldiers threatened to kill them for not handing him over, they turned to their minister who, upon reading the verse, “It is better that one man dies than that the whole people be lost” (Jn. 18:14), advised the people to do just that.  That evening, the minister, still saddened by his decision, was visited by an angel, who said, “Don’t you know that you have handed over the Messiah?” When the minister asked, “How could I know,” the angel said, “If, instead of reading your Bible, you had visited this young man just once and looked into his eyes, you would have known.”

What a powerful story, but does this make my question any easier to respond?  No, not really.  As compassionate believers, being mindful of God’s command to “not mistreat [alien] . . . love him as yourself” (Lev. 19:33-4), we may help an undocumented father or mother on the run.  However, as believers who see “governors” as “sent by [God] to punish those who do wrong” (1 Pet. 2:14), we may also turn over illegal aliens who have committed crimes.  After all, not everyone was welcomed to the city of refuge, for its protection didn’t extend to those who committed crimes premeditatively.   

To those who see the entire world in black and white, this isn’t an adequate answer; however, over disputable matters, we study Scripture, pray earnestly, and then follow our heart wherein lives the Holy Spirit.  We may, therefore, find ourselves hiding or reporting illegal aliens.  In either case, instead of name calling (“xenophobic”) to shame one another, we respect each other’s view, even as we may voice our disagreements.  “Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.  He will bring to light . . . the motives of men’s heart” (1 Cor. 4:5). 

Prayer: Dear God, I praise and honor You this morning.  Please give me wisdom and courage over disputable matters so that my decision will not result in being sanctimonious, accusing and labeling those who disagree with me. Help me to love the weak and the helpless, and also uphold the laws of the land. Amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 3

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Lunch Break Study

Read Rom. 8:1 (NIV): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Matt. 11:28-9:“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Heb. 9:28, 10:28: So Christ was sacrificed once and to take away the sins of many people. . .. And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Questions to Consider

1. “The cities of refuge,” a temporary rest for those who did wrong in the Old Testament, foreshadowed God’s permanent provision in Christ for the forgiveness of wrongdoers.   Theologically, why is the rest granted in the New Testament superior to that of the Old Testament?

2. How was the better rest made available in Christ realized theologically? 

3. What would you say to an undocumented worker running from the law who does not know Jesus?

Note

1. The rest available in Christ is far superior, because those who are in Christ are no longer condemned, and their sins are permanently forgiven by God because of the atoning death of His Son.  Thus, in Christ, we can truly find rest for our weary souls. 

2. This superior rest was made available to us, because Christ’s sacrifice took away our sins once and all, thereby making any further sacrifice for sin completely unnecessary. 

3. An example: “As long as you don’t believe in what Christ has done for you, you’re actually running from God.  You can stop running by placing your trust in Christ.  Whether to return to your country is something you ought to pray about, as you are being instructed in the word, and then follow your conscience.”   

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Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, were you involved in any argument or intense discussion over a disputable issue?  How did you handle it?  What does the way you handled it reveal about yourself?  

Meditate on Romans 15:1-2, 7 and pray for God’s wisdom and strength to do better tomorrow.

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, . . . 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on January 2, 2018, 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.) plans to, the Lord willing, plant a church in Tokyo in 2024. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Journeying Onward”

Genesis 33:12–17 (ESV)

Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” [13] But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. [14] Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” [15] So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” [16] So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. [17] But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. [18] And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. [19] And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent.

Picture a scene with me.  You are going on vacation with your family to Disneyland.  Your children are thrilled.  You’ve mapped out which rides to go on and how to spend the day. The day arrives, and everyone gets out of the car and rushes toward the entrance.   But while making your way through Downtown Disney (a collection of stores and restaurants outside of Disneyland), you decide that you might as well just stay there.  Downtown Disney is exciting enough so why go to the trouble of walking further?

Of course that would be ridiculous.  Your family would protest and leave you in Downtown Disney if necessary.  Yet so often we find ourselves distracted, lazy, or tempted to settle in our journey of faith.  In our passage this morning, Jacob finds himself at this type of crossroads.

Jacob has finally repented and been restored to his brother Esau.  In his joy, Esau invites Jacob to come and live with him.  But Esau lives in Seir, the country of Edom, outside the Promised Land (Genesis 32:3).

While tempting, Jacob politely declines and respectfully insists that he must part ways with Esau.  Certainly Jacob’s children and flocks are frail, and there may be a need for Esau to leave some of his people to guide Jacob’s family to Seir, but these are not Jacob’s true concerns.  Jacob knows that loving his brother Esau is not the same thing as following him away from God’s promise.  Instead, Jacob settles in Succoth and buys property in Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan.  

To live with Esau and perhaps even renew their relationship may have been tempting for all the right reasons, but Jacob knows that he must follow God first.  Maybe this foreshadows Christ’s call for us to follow him even at the cost of leaving behind our family.  

May God grant us a deeper and more sacrificial love for our family and friends and the restoration of broken relationships, yet also the conviction and courage to continue to seek God’s face first, and not grow satisfied with the good people and things of this life.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being the God who redeems and restores.  May every miracle and blessing increase my love and longing for You.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 2

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 14:16–24 (ESV): But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. [17] And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ [18] But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ [19] And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ [20] And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ [21] So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’

Question to Consider

1. Who was invited to the great banquet?
2. Why did some say they were unable to attend the banquet?
3. Why was the banquet host angry?

Notes

1. Everyone!  Many people were invited and when they would not come, even the poor, crippled, blind and lame were invited as well.
2. They were busy with good things – a field, oxen, and a new marriage.
3. Verse 18 says that these good things were excuses to not attend the banquet.  There was no real desire to be there and enjoy the fellowship and hospitality of the host. 

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  What blessings has God generously given you?  What do these blessings say about God (i.e. is he gracious, faithful, etc.)?  Take a moment to praise God for His goodness to you.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on January 1, 2018, 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.) plans to, the Lord willing, plant a church in Tokyo in 2024. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning 

“Eyes to See” 

Genesis 33:1–11 (ESV) 

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. [2] And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. [3] He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. [4] But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. [5] And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” [6] Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. [7] Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. [8] Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” [9] But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” [10] Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. [11] Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.  

First, a joyous New Year to all! 

Now back to Genesis: 

In the movie Liar Liar​​, Fletcher Reede is a lawyer who lies to everyone – judges, clients, even his own son.  But because of his son’s birthday wish, Fletcher is magically unable to lie. Throughout the movie, Fletcher does everything he can to regain his power to lie until he begins to speak about his parenting and blurts out, “I’m a bad father!”  It’s the first time he faces the truth about who he is. 

The night before a meeting with his brother Esau, Jacob wrestles with God. He leaves this encounter with a permanent limp, the blessing of God, and the truth.  Jacob is finally able to acknowledge his sin against God and his brother Esau.  Before he fled his home, Jacob had stolen the blessing of his father Isaac from Esau.  Isaac had blessed Jacob, saying 

May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine…Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. (Genesis 27:28-29) 

When Jacob finally sees Esau again, he attempts to return to Esau his stolen blessing.  He and his family bow before Esau seven times and insist that Esau receive his livestock as a gift (or blessing).  Perhaps Jacob had initially thought to simply avoid Esau’s wrath, but now after his struggle with God, Jacob has a genuine desire to return to Esau what was rightfully his.  For Jacob, seeing Esau’s face and righting his past wrongs would right his own wrongs with God. 

Certainly Isaac, Rebekah, and Esau had a part to play in the brokenness of the family, but only when Jacob could see himself clearly that his heart and life could change. 

Prayer:​ Search my heart, O God, and grant me grace to bring to You all that I am, the good and the bad.  Please forgive me for ways that I have sinned against others in my life. Please bring healing and reconciliation in my broken relationships. 

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 1 

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Luke 19:5–10 (ESV): ​ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to​ him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” [6] So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” [8] And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” [9] And Jesus said to him, 

“Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Question to Consider 

1. What was the crowd’s view of Zacchaeus? 
2. What was Jesus’s view of Zacchaeus? 
3. What was Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus’s love? 

Notes 

1. The crowd despised Zacchaeus because he exploited his position and power to make himself wealthy. 
2. Jesus viewed Zacchaeus as a man lost in sin, the kind of person that Jesus came to seek and save. 
3. Zacchaeus repented, not simply in word but in deed.  He willingly made restitution to those he wronged even though it would leave him in poverty. 

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Evening Reflection 

Reflect on your day.  Have you sinned against those around you?  How can you act to restore your relationships? 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 31, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Scars of Remembrance”

Genesis 32:30-32 (ESV)

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Peniel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

When I tore my ACL in college, it wasn’t a quick and sudden tear—rather, it was a slow and partial tear each time. Every time I went to the doctor, he would say that it was just a sprained knee, and that I would need to rest it before resuming athletic activity. I ended up partially tearing it quite a few times—in football, in basketball, and even one time at one of those trampoline parks. I finally spoke to a doctor who told me to get surgery, and I did. To this day, the scar and the slight numbing sensation around my knee is a reminder of all of the painful moments of the tears and the post-surgery rehab. As I was chatting with a college student recently about how I don’t really play sports that much anymore—even though I am medically cleared to do so—we concluded that it was kind of like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), where I am too scared to get hurt again because of the painful memories of getting hurt. 

In today’s passage, we see that Jacob (Israel) is left with a limp because the angel of the Lord touched his hip socket and was put out of joint. We don’t know if this is a permanent limp, but this event must have been a very memorable one, for the people of Israel refuse to eat the sinew of the thigh on the hip socket because of this story (v.32).  But why is there such an emphasis on this limp, and what is the significance of this? 

When I think of the scar on my knee, it brings back painful memories of what happened, and regardless of how hard I try to forget it, I can’t because it is a part of me. Perhaps Jacob’s limp was meant to serve a similar purpose—bringing back memories for Jacob of the specific moment God blesses him. In this moment, Jacob has been stripped of everything that he has sought to use as a covering, and in this vulnerable place, he wrestles with God. Perhaps God purposely caused this limp so that he would forever remember this encounter with God. 

As we carry physical scars, we also carry emotional and spiritual scars. Scars are not always a negative thing, because they often signify healing. Scars form after wounds have been healed. Are we aware of the ways our scars remind us of important moments in our lives? How fitting that today is the last day of the year— it is a time of reflection, and what better way than to look back on the different scars and marks we carry from our encounters with God. What has God done this past year in your life? What are ways that He left scars upon you because you needed to be healed of things? Let’s not only look forward with vision and expectation, but to do so with the reminder that we have each encountered God in powerful ways; and the scars that we carry are marks that stay with us for the purpose of reminders.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the scars of remembrance in my life. Thank You for the reminder that You are present in my life and the ways You have healed me. As I start out this new year, I pray that the orientation and direction of this year would be dictated upon the ways You have touched me this past year.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 12

UPDATED  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 31, 2016, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“In the Last Time” 

Jude 1:17-23

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

As we come to the next to the last day of 2023, we look back to a year of which people’s opinions are very much divided. With the passing of many prominent figures who have shaped and challenged our culture, an election that pulled back the mask of a divided country, a refugee crisis that seems to have no end in sight, let alone all the personal battles, the list goes on of the various challenges that we have faced throughout this year. And one of the most interesting things that have developed throughout this year is how the church has responded (or has not responded) to a world that is spiraling out of control. 

“In the last time,” writes Jude, speaking as if he is writing to us today, he says that this is to be expected. And he goes on to clearly distinguish between those who are of Christ and those who are not, in the midst of difficult circumstances. 

Ungodly	Godly
scoffers ungodly passions divisive worldly-minded devoid of the Spirit	beloved holy faith pray in the Spirit in the love of God looking forward to Christ’s return

The concern is that the church is losing its distinction from the world: just looking at how divided the response of the church to the various events of this year shows how our perspective is more like the world than it should be. The truth is that those in Christ are called to be people who are not just dissimilar to the world, but categorically different in their thinking, their actions, and their demeanor. Jude reminds the church that because of Christ, we are set apart from the world. 

The call that follows to those who are beloved, who are building up their holy faith, who are praying in the Spirit and are in the love of God, and who are looking forward to Christ’s return—is to show mercy. This mercy is radically different from the kind of mercy this world shows. It is a mercy displayed to all, even those opposed to church. It is mercy that condemns sin but shows mercy to the sinner. It is a kind of mercy that is not of this world.

As you end this year and look forward to a new year, may you be reminded of the call of Christ for us to “shine like stars in the world,” “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:14-16). May you not shy away from distinguishing yourself from others, not for the sake of standing out, but in obedience to the Lord. Even to the last moments of this year, may you actively show mercy onto others. And in the same manner, begin this new year. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for this past year. It was not the easiest of years, but through it, I saw how faithful and never-changing You truly are. Even to the last moments of this year, and as I begin a new year, I want to walk in a manner worthy of Your calling, because I know Your calling is an invitation to life and life abundant. Thank You for this gift. Thank you for Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 10-11