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

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

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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

1. Why does the judge give into the woman’s plea? 
2. What does this parable say about the character of God? Why is prayer important?
3. 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

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. Personal Response. 

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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.

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

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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 

1. Why does Jesus ask Simon Peter three times if he loves him?  
2. Why would Jesus tell Peter how he is going to die? 
3. 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. 

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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. 

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

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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.

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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.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 7, 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

“Me, Me, Me Generation?”

Genesis 26:1-5

Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Over the past decade, millennials have gotten a bad reputation, especially from the previous generations. Time magazine writer John Stein describes the stigma of the millennials as the “ME, ME, ME” generation.  While previous generations have been built on hard work and sacrifice for the next, millennials expect to simply ride on their coat tails. Stein writes that the consequences are feelings of entitlement and laziness.  As a millennial, I feel that these generalizations may be debatable, but we can all agree that there is no such thing as a free ride in our world today. 

In our passage, the writer makes it clear that Isaac is the benefactor of Abraham’s obedience. But if the blessings that came to Isaac were only because “Abraham obeyed God’s voice and kept his charge” (v. 5), then why make Isaac go through the same trials his father endured? Again and again, Isaac’s life seems to follow in the footsteps of his father—from living in famine, struggling under foreign rulers, to having no place to settle down (vv. 1-4). All of this is under the future promise that God will bless them later. Why? Perhaps God is trying to teach Isaac that even though the blessings have come through his father, he, too, must exercise faith in order to fully enjoy the promised blessings. But more than the blessings themselves, God wanted to ensure that Isaac, too, would have a personal relationship with Him. 

Let’s take a moment to re-examine our faith: Why do we believe in the things we believe in? Is it because we were born into it, or we grew up in a believing community? Is it based on the faith of our church leaders, or perhaps how much we do for the church? While these are all important, ultimately, God desires that we would all personally know Him. J.I. Packer writes, “There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them.” While salvation has been freely given, it is by no means a free ride for anyone. It only is given to those who have personally experienced Him and believe in His word. And so as we look to the fathers of faith, may we continue to run with endurance the race that is set before us—only now, looking to Jesus the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:1). 

Prayer: Father, we confess that oftentimes we focus more on the things You can do for us rather than in who You are. Help us to remember that You are the faithful God who 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. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:4-11: If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Paul’s knowledge of God change in this passage?
2. What is the result of Paul’s change in understanding? How does it change him?
3. How do you see your knowledge of God changing you? 

Notes

1. Though Paul has quite an impressive resume and experience that shows he knows about God more than anyone else, he makes it clear that such knowledge is nothing in comparison to knowing Christ—making a distinction between simply knowing about God and His ways vs. knowing Christ. Paul states that to know Christ is ultimately to be found in Him—that is, to be in fellowship and relationship with Him. He realizes that only such a relationship with Christ is what makes him truly righteous.
2. Commentator Melick writes, “It was impossible to hold on to the former values and still have Christ. It was one or the other, and Christ exceeded anything and everything else.” And so Paul is able to freely give up his past experiences and accomplishments because knowing Christ was far greater than these. When we find something of infinite value, all other things lose their significance in our lives. Thus, Paul’s pursuit of knowing Christ gives him the strength and power to endure through life’s sufferings.
3. Personal response. 

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Evening Reflection

J.I. Packer writes that all the things we know about God mean nothing if we don’t actually know Him. In Knowing God he writes, “How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each Truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.” We can only really know a person when we spend time with them. Let us take a moment to think of some truth we know about God—maybe it’s a simple verse or even a phrase. Spend a few moments simply meditating on it. Sometimes it helps to declare those words over yourself. Even the simplest truths can speak volumes when the words come alive in the heart. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 25, 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.). 

Merry Christmas

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Dealing with Injustice” 

Genesis 31:4-7 (ESV)

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was5 and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. 

When I was a kid, I would throw temper tantrums if I felt like I was being mistreated.  Once, some family friends were over and we were playing video games.  It was my turn to play, but my friend would not give up the controller. Feeling slighted, I could not let this injustice continue unaddressed.  So I ended up wrestling with him and eventually biting him because he wouldn’t let go of the controller. Today, I am proud to say I handle any injustice committed against me in a much milder manner.

How do you deal with injustice that you feel was committed against you? In Genesis 31, we see that Jacob has come to a place where he is fed up with his father-in-law.  His father-in-law has deceived him in so many different ways, and now Jacob feels the rising hostility of Laban and his sons because his flock is doing much better than theirs. 

Although this passage is not meant to be a prescriptive one, (meaning it is not meant to be a passage teaching us how we ought to react to injustices), it does tell a story of injustice that was unfolding between Jacob and Laban.  Jacob ends up taking his household and all of his flock and leaving town. He does not retaliate or lash out in revenge, but trusts that God has protected him and his household all this time. He trusts that God is the ultimate judge. 

Perhaps you have a boss that has been unfair to you, or a professor that seems to grade in an unfair manner. Maybe you have friends or family members who continue to deceive you and treat you horribly. Or maybe you are sick of the great injustices of this world. So how do you react to injustice? Again, this is not a prescriptive passage, but it is helpful for us to consider how we react towards injustices. Do we feel the need to retaliate? Do we feel the need to stay silent? I do believe that different injustices require different responses. Sometimes we do need to speak out and act out against injustice, and other times we need to hold our tongues. However, the truth of this passage is that God sees everything. He will be the final judge, and we can take solace in the fact that His justice is perfect.

In light of this Christmas season, we look to Jesus – who endured the ultimate injustice without retaliation. Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Prayer: Father God, we recognize and repent for the way our sin has created so many injustices in this world. We repent because we are complicit and implicit offenders of your perfect justice. Particularly in areas where we feel the brunt of injustice, give us the grace and humility to respond like you would.  But ultimately, we ask that you give us peace and trust in your perfect justice. May the fullness of your kingdom come quickly! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of his government and of peacethere will be no end,on the throne of David and over his kingdom,to establish it and to uphold itwith justice and with righteousnessfrom this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Question to Consider

1. Who is this child that Isaiah the prophet is talking about?

2. What does this passage say about what His reign will be like? 

3. Reflect on what these names mean to you: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Notes

1. In light of Christmas, this is a popular passage that reminds us that the prophets were looking to the Son of God who was born into this world – Jesus Christ, who has come to establish His perfect government.   

2. We see that there will be no end to his reign. It will be full of peace, and His perfect justice and His perfect righteousness will be the bedrock of this government.   

3. Personal Reflection.

Evening Reflection

Did you struggle with injustice that was committed against you or against others? Bring these things to the Lord in prayer and reflect upon them. How has God called you to respond to injustice and be the one who represents His justice in this world? 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 11, 2016, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Combatting a Grumbling Heart”

Philippians 2:14-16

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

 If you’re at a restaurant and your waiter is slow to fill up your glass of water, you can immediately pull out your phone and give that restaurant a bad review on Yelp.  If you’re on vacation, staying at a hotel, and you’re not satisfied with the softness of your bed, you can just go on TripAdvisor and tell everyone in the world about your bad experience.  And when you’re stuck in traffic on the highway, you can let everyone around you know about your frustrations—without even speaking a word—by just hitting that little spot in the middle of your steering wheel.

We live in a culture where the option to complain or grumble is seemingly built into every situation.  Whether it’s small things, like bad service at a restaurant or hotel or heavy traffic on our way home, or big things, like feeling unhappy about our careers or the way a family member is inconsiderate, we are so prone to grumbling—because it’s just so easy to do. 

At the root of all complaining is discontentment or dissatisfaction about our circumstances, because life isn’t going the way we want or think it should go.  So when Paul tells us to do ALL things without grumbling, it’s a nearly impossible command, because it’s pretty rare for life to go exactly the way that we think it should go.  In all things, there is always a reason for us to grumble.

To combat a grumbling heart, psychology tells us to be glass-half-full kind of people; that is, think positively, have an upbeat attitude about life, or focus on all of the good things that you are thankful for in life.  But we all know that a positive mindset can only work for so long—sooner or later, even the good things of this world will disappoint us.

How do we follow this command then?  The only way to save us from grumbling hearts is to focus our minds on something not of this world—by that, I mean God Himself.  On this side of heaven, nothing in this world is exactly the way it should be—all good things of this world will fade.  But when we turn the eyes of our hearts towards God in worship, we are focusing on the only “thing” that will never fade, the only one who will not disappoint, the source of true contentment.

On this Lord’s Day, let us focus our eyes on Jesus in worship.  Let us leave behind the desires and expectations of our hearts about how everything should be, and seek to be with Him who will make all things new.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to focus on You this day.  I pray that in all things, I will be satisfied by Your presence.  Bless me as I worship You this day.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 4  

UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 17, 2016, 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

“The True Meaning of Christmas”

Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV)

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Many young people may not remember this (since they prefer to shop online), but it used to be that mobs of people would fight for Black Friday items the day after Thanksgiving. These days, Black Friday even infringes upon Thanksgiving Day, which shows the trajectory of our society. We look at these videos and we shake our heads: How could they act like this, especially after a day of celebrating gratitude and contentment in all that they have? 

But to be honest, as we approach Christmas, are we any different? I may not be in those crowds, but my discontentment, frustration, and anger manifests in different ways. When we look at our own lives, don’t we all have moments where we are frustrated with where we are, not content with the circumstances in our lives? The truth is, when our contentment is based off of our circumstances, our level of our contentment fluctuates dramatically. We find that contentment becomes a temporary phenomenon that quickly dissolves. So how then can we find true contentment that remains steady in our lives?

Looking at this passage, again we must understand that Paul is writing this while in prison, in very difficult circumstances. There are people who have been persecuting him, and his friends have abandoned him. He is not treated all that well, and yet he says rejoice and be content. How does he do that? He prefaces the secret to being content by saying he knows what it means to be in need and what it is to have plenty—he has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He has seen both ends of the spectrum. He has been in a position where he is the elite of the elites, but also been in a position where he is fleeing for his life by many people who want to kill him. In 2 Corinthians 11, he shares of how he had been beaten and stoned and shipwrecked, how he fled from Gentiles and from Jews, how he labored and toiled and went without sleep, how he was hungry, thirsty, cold and naked. Yet in all this, he is content. Why? Because he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. He knows his identity in Christ and is content in any circumstance because he knows that Jesus has already given and will continue to give him the strength to hold on and press forward.

The advent of social media has contributed to the increasing feelings of jealously that we all feel. Whether it’s the videos of beautiful vacation spots, photos of seemingly perfect relationships, or even the snapshots of all the delicious food that we see in our friend’s post, I think we can all safely say that we have felt jealousy stir in our hearts because of this. Jealousy is dangerous, because it can lead to comparing ourselves with others, making us feel insecure; then insecurity breeds discontentment. While we can certainly limit our social media intake or make conscious efforts not to be jealous of others, the best antidote is to be secure in our identity in Christ and to find our contentment in Him, declaring that He is all we need in this lifetime. It’s not a complex secret, but is certainly something that is difficult to truly believe and hold onto. Today, two days before Christmas, as culture tells you to find contentment in your circumstances, in your relationships, or in your possessions, choose instead to place your contentment solely in Him. He came on that first Christmas so that we may have an abundant life that goes far beyond whether we have the things that the world says we should have in order to be content.  Christ himself is our contentment and nothing comes a close second.  

Prayer: Father, help me find my contentment in You, rather than my current circumstances or situation. In high and low, in every season, help me declare confidently that You are enough for me. I don’t want to be tossed back and forth by my different situations, but rather, help me stand firm – knowing that You will give me the strength to rejoice in You. Amen.

[Reflect on a current situation that might be difficult right now and choose to find joy in God rather than the outcome of the situation.]

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 2-3

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 21, 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

“Grasping at Straws”

Genesis 30:1-8

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” 2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.

One of my favorite social games is Scattergories.  If you’ve never played, the premise is that at random, all players will get a category and a letter of the alphabet; and you have to come up with items that fit the category that starts with the letter.  For example, if the category is “comic characters” and the letter is B, Batman would be an easy answer.  But here’s the catch: you only get points for unique answers, so if other contestants used Batman, too, no one would get points from that answer.  What makes the game fun is that if you come up with an “out of the box” type answer, you have to convince other players of its validity, and by “convince,” I mean argue.  My wife hates playing Scattergories with me—she says that I cheat.  Case in point:  the last time we played, the category was “type of footwear” and the letter was F.  I gave the answer, “Famous Footwear” (you get double points for double alliteration), which is footwear store vs. a specific footwear brand.  Anyway, I argued passionately for that one, but ultimately got overruled by my collaborating, narrow-minded co-contestants.  If you are the type of person who is good at grasping at straws and twisting reality, then this is your type of game.  

Sadly, I think Rachel would have been good at Scattergories, because I don’t really see how any rational person could have looked at her situation—resorting to having children through her maid-servant—as a victory over her sister.  Yet, here we see it: she names her first son Dan, thinking that God has judged her as right, and her second son Naphtali, arguing that she has wrestled with her sister and won.  This instance makes me realize how desperate Rachel must have been to twist this situation, and her actions in it, so that she comes out right and justified.  Or perhaps, Rachel was just grasping at straws, trying to convince herself and others that what she did was noble or something.  I don’t know.  

Now, before we get too hard on Rachel, I think most people lose objectivity when faced with dire circumstances.  Perhaps you recently felt like you had to lie to get out of a bad situation or you had to compromise in some other manner.  Or maybe you’ve convinced yourself that the ends justified the means or your actions actually honored God.  Did it feel like you were twisting the circumstances or grasping at straws?  Desperate people tend to do that, don’t they?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see things truthfully and objectively.  Help me not rationalize or grasp at straws to get my way, but help me to speak and live with absolute integrity.  If I am in a desperate situation, please help me to trust You through it.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Luke 1 

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 15:10-20: And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.14 Let them alone; they are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Questions to Consider

1.  What are the things that defile a person and from where do they come?

2.  What do actions, thoughts, and words indicate about a person?  

3.  What do your thoughts, words, and actions say about your heart? 

Notes

1.  Jesus says that sinful actions and thoughts come from a person’s heart.  

2.  The implication is that if a person is consistently doing/saying/thinking sinful things, then his heart is not as clean as he may think.  Those who consistently think, say, and do good things have transformed hearts.  

3.  Application question.  

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Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was integrity.  Where do you stand when it comes to living your faith consistently in all areas of your life?  Ask the Lord, who searches hearts and minds, to examine your life and bring to light any areas that need to be reexamined.