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).

January 3, Wednesday

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

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.”

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.”

January 2, Tuesday

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

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

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

Notes

Everyone! Many people were invited and when they would not come, even the poor, crippled, blind and lame were invited as well.
They were busy with good things – a field, oxen, and a new marriage.
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.

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.

January 1, Monday

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

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

What was the crowd’s view of Zacchaeus?
What was Jesus’s view of Zacchaeus?
What was Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus’s love?

Notes

The crowd despised Zacchaeus because he exploited his position and power to make himself wealthy.
Jesus viewed Zacchaeus as a man lost in sin, the kind of person that Jesus came to seek and save.
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.

Evening Reflection

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

December 31, Sunday

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

December 30, Saturday

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

December 29, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 29, 2017, 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.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Just Praying”

Genesis 25:19-22

These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

When I was growing up, my mom would take me to prayer meetings and leave me in the back with the other kids to run around. In one service, the pastor went around praying and laying hands on the heads of the people. The next morning while my mom was praying, she suddenly felt a hand on her head. She had thought it was Jesus! But when she looked up, she was shocked to see her four-year-old son passionately jerking her head yelling gibberish! For many of us, we’ve learned to pray ever since we were young. But over time, such learned prayers can become repetitive and mundane. The danger is that these once faith-driven prayers can become mere afterthoughts.

Our passage today shows a familiar story for Isaac and us. Surely Abraham had told his son the stories of his miraculous birth and the incredible journey of faith God had taken them on. Except this time it was no longer just a story; it was now Isaac’s reality. Like his parents, Isaac and Rebekah were barren. And our passage clearly tells us that Isaac responds in prayer. A prayer that persevered for 20 years until the age of 60, where the Lord finally “grants his prayer.” There is no mention of another Ishmael incident or Isaac taking matters into his own hands. Perhaps Isaac thought that if God could give my 100-year-old parents a child, then surely he would deliver me. If the covenant between God and his father (something he probably had heard all of his life) were true, then God would be faithful to him and Rebekah. And so, Isaac prayed for a child and 20 years later God had finally answered his prayer.

In times of waiting, we are easily tempted to act on our own. Sometimes praying may seem ineffective especially when answers seem delayed and distant. As a result, our focus becomes fixated on the outcome of our prayers and we lose sight of the one we are praying to. But as Eugene Peterson says, “waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts.” Prayer is our way of trusting that the Lord will move in His perfect way and timing even in the most impossible situations. May prayer always be our first and last response. Whether it is your career or your family, may we learn to pray unceasingly regardless of the outcome. Let us restore our belief in the power of prayer this day.

Prayer: Father, we confess that often times we focus more on the things You can do for us rather than in who You are. Help us to remember that You are God, who is faithful and knows what’s best for us. Give us the strength in our prayers to trust that You will move in your perfect timing and way.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:1-8: And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Questions to Consider

Why does the judge give into the woman’s plea?
What does this parable say about the character of God? Why is prayer important?
Is there a prayer that you have stopped praying because of the lack of fruit? May this persistent widow’s heart encourage you to pray for that person or situation once again.

Notes

Surprisingly, the judge listens to the woman’s plea because of her persistence. Rather than looking at the situation and judging the situation at hand, the judge is moved by the woman’s persistent heart. In the same way, God looks at the heart of the persistent prayer more than the circumstance. But unlike the judge who doesn’t care, God is a judge who does care and will answer the cries of his people.
The context of the parable comes right after Jesus teaches on the coming of the Kingdom of God. In essence Jesus is saying that people will be come desensitized to God’s kingdom. John Piper said, “the good things in life can make us just as insensitive to the reality of God as the gross things in life can.” And so, Jesus is teaching his disciple that persistent prayer is what prevents us from losing heart and keeps us sensitive to the things of God.
Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

C.S. Lewis has shaped and touched the minds of many through his works. But what is not often told is the difficult and tragic personal life he lived, particularly the story of his wife Joy Gresham. After meeting later in their years, tragedy strikes as Joy is diagnosed with cancer right before they are to marry. This touching story was later created into a movie where one of Lewis’ friends tries to reassure his persistent prayers for the hopeless situation of his wife.To this Lewis replies, “That’s not why I pray, Harry. I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me.”

May this be a good reminder for us this evening. It is not wrong to expect God to move in our prayers. However, may our prayers tonight be more than a list of requests; but an expectation for us to be changed first. May we ask God to give us eyes to see whatever situation or circumstance through His eyes, to see that He has a far greater plan than we could ever imagine.

December 28, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 28, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Looking into Deep Wounds”

Genesis 32:6-12 (ESV)

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 8 thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.” 9 And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O L_ORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. 12 But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

In today’s passage, we see that Jacob is preparing for his encounter with Esau. Years have passed since their last meeting, and they are entirely different people at this point; but when Jacob hears that Esau is coming with four hundred men, immediately he assumes the worst. I can’t blame Jacob for feeling that way – after all, the last time Jacob had seen Esau, he had stolen his birthright and blessing from Isaac. So Isaac begins to make preparations, in case Esau is coming to attack him. Jacob then prays to God and asks for His protection. Regardless of the fact that God had promised him the same descendants as Abraham, he is insecure about the fact that Esau is about to come and wipe him and his family out. Jacob is a total mess, and I’m sure we would be too if we were in his place.

It’s interesting that some of our deepest insecurities easily override God’s promises in our lives. We may have encountered God in a powerful way and heard from Him directly. We might have even experienced a partial fulfillment of His promise in our lives – yet there are some insecurities that are buried so deep in our lives that they automatically override what God has done as well. The moment those insecurities or past wounds flare up, we forget entirely all that God has spoken into our lives. All of a sudden, we question whether we heard God correctly or whether He even said anything at all.

Our nature is not so different from Jacob’s – he’d been running away and hiding from his brother all these years. We all tend to run away from our previous wounds: sin, brokenness, insecurities, severed relationships. We would prefer to hide rather than address them, but I suppose what happens to Jacob is what ends up happening to all of us. There comes a point when we realize we can’t run or hide anymore, and we need to address our problems head on. When we finally confront them, we realize that doing so can be for our good and for our benefit.

Prayer: Father God, I confess that there are things that I am running away from. There are certain areas of brokenness that I just don’t want to deal with. There are wounds and hurts to which I may have numbed myself. There is so much buried deep within from which I need healing and restoration. May my spirit be open to your healing and your restoring hand upon my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 8

Lunch Break Study

Read John 21:15-19 (ESV): When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Question to Consider

Why does Jesus ask Simon Peter three times if he loves him?
Why would Jesus tell Peter how he is going to die?
What are some things that God is calling you to confront and how does he want you to confront them?

Notes

1. Jesus is determined to restore Peter. He questions Peter three times just as Peter denied Jesus three times. He questioned whether Peter truly loves Him just as Peter probably questioned in His own heart whether he truly loved Jesus or not. Jesus wants to restore Peter not only personally, but to the ministry that He has called him to do – to feed his sheep, to be a fisher of men.

2. Jesus has a customized plan for each one of us. When Peter asks about whether another disciple will be led to the cross (as he eventually would be), Jesus tells him not to worry about it… because Jesus has a custom-tailored discipleship plan for each individual. God knows exactly what we need and it looks different for each person.

3. Remember, God has a customized discipleship plan for each one of us. Respond in a way that is personal for you.

Evening Reflection

What are some things that you might be running away from? It could be something from this past year, or even something that happened in your childhood. What are things that you are so fearful of? What are previous wounds that you are covering up? Bring these things to the Lord – ask Him to give you the strength to find restoration in these things.

December 27, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotionals, first posted on November 6, 2017, is provided by Pastor Paul Liu who pastors the Grace Covenant Church Singapore. He is a graduate of University of Illinois (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Hideousness of Sin”

Genesis 19:1-11

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” 6 Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7 and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 8 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. 11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked what you saw reflected back? Of course you have. We’ve all gone through puberty… But where we might think a pimple or a rebellious strand of hair ruins everything, the reality is usually quite different. We oftentimes think worse of our looks because we’re insecure. The reality probably is—it’s not that bad.

But what if it was? What if what you saw was truly monstrous? Another nose. A fang-like tooth. Yellow in the eye. “Hideous” then might be the right word. It is when it comes to sin. Sin is anything that displeases God—not just the big sins, but the insensitive comment, anger or lust indulged, ignoring God and others, and not doing the good you know you ought to do. We dare not say, “It’s not that bad,” because in actuality, “hideous” is a better word for how our sin stands with God. This is not to say that we’re not loved, because if we’re Christians—we are loved by God, utterly and completely. It’s a reminder that sin is always serious and damning.

This passage is a picture of how ugly sinfulness can be. There were, in Sodom, not just a few mischievous individuals, but a whole city united in its pursuit of violence and self-gratification. They not only delighted in extreme sexual perversity but demanded it aggressively. They were consumed by lust and relentless in getting what they wanted. They cared nothing about the bounds of hospitality. It’s a picture of unchecked impulses and addiction. And it led to their ruin.

Now before we sit back comfortably because we’re not as bad as “those people,” we need to ask ourselves, Why is this passage in the Bible? Think about it. Its purpose cannot be to put us at ease because we sin less than other people. Jesus condemned that kind of hypocrisy. It must be to remind us of sins recompense—to remind us that God is a judge. As much as it is true, He’s a Father and a Friend and a Lover of sinners, He is a judge who will not allow sin to go unpunished! We dare not forget that or forget to share that with those around us. Rather than being thankful we’re not in their shoes, we are to become humbled by God’s anger at sin, earnest in pursuing what is right, and eager to warn those who are sliding into unchecked godlessness.

The problem with judging from afar is that we fail to feel the intensity of God’s anger at sin. God rained down fire from heaven at this corrupt, immoral city. And later, God rained down the punishment for our sins upon His Son, Jesus. That’s how serious it is! To know Jesus endured that and received that for us should make the hairs on the back of our neck stand up. That could have been us—if not for a new way made open for us by grace.

So today, let’s celebrate the forgiveness that was won for us in the judgment of the Son. And let’s be a city on a hill that stands out and stands firm in our pursuit of what pleases God. Be a beacon of what is decent, pure, and good—and don’t be ashamed to show it.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your mercy of making a way for awful sinners like us to come into Your Presence forgiven and free. Help us to live today in the light of the price that was paid for our sins—Your life, Lord Jesus, for ours. Teach us to hate sin and love the things that delight You. And give us Your power to not only avoid sin but to actively pursue holiness. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Questions to Consider

1. What pictures come to mind when you hear the word “strive”?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being “not at all” and 10 being “almost always”), how much do you strive for holiness?

3. Why do you think holiness is necessary to “see the Lord”?

4. Think of one thing you can avoid and one thing you can pursue in order to strive for holiness today. Write it down.

Note

1. Some examples: spending less time doing FB; praying daily at least 30 minutes; reading five chapters of Scripture every day; and forgiving those who sinned against me, etc.

2. Personal response.

3. Since holiness means separation/distinction, if we behave just like the world, our unbelieving coworkers, neighbors, or classmates cannot distinguish us from themselves. In this way, without holiness, nobody can tell that we are believers.

4. See the list mentioned in 1.

Evening Reflection

“Only when you see God’s holiness will you be gripped by the awfulness of sin against God.” –Jerry Bridges

In light of how well or poorly you strove for holiness today, take a moment to praise God for His holy character: He’s set apart, holy in all of His ways. His name is holy. His ways are holy. His love is holy love. And His will is for you to be holy. Praise Him for it. And then ask the Holy Spirit to give you a vision of holiness for your own life.