REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 20, 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

“Give me a Break”

Genesis 29:31

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

My wife and I recently purchased our first home.  I don’t know if it’s always like this, but I feel like our home buying process was not the most civil affair—the seller and I fought over everything, from the price of the house, to repairs, to appliances, etc.  To make matters worse, during the final walk through on the day of closing, we noticed that this guy switched out the washing machine, claiming that the one that was supposed to come with the house broke.  Who does this?!?!  What a childishly crooked thing to do!!!  I didn’t believe it then—and I still don’t— but in the end, I wasn’t going to let my family go homeless over a washing machine.  So I just kind of seethed internally for a while. 

Fast-forward a couple of weeks, as we are meeting families in our new town, we catch wind that the house sellers are now living with their parents (small town gossip).  My wife and I start to feel bad because we assume that these people are getting a divorce, or someone lost a job, or are experiencing some other financial hardship. Well, instead of bad-mouthing these guys as crooks, I start thinking things like, Wow, I’m such a jerk.  Maybe these guys needed the money more than I do.  And I don’t know how serious I was, but I found myself saying things like this, “If I’d have known these guys were in a financial crunch, I would have given them the dryer too.”  Again, I’m pretty cheap, so I don’t know how earnest that comment was. 

If you’re familiar with the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, you know what is going to happen in chapter 30… a soap opera style baby-making contest.  What might surprise you is that God played a critical role in this drama.  He is the one who opened Leah’s womb, and by implication closed Rachel’s for a season (see also 30:2).  Now, before you go jumping to the conclusion that God caused all the drama in Jacob’s house for fun, look what the Bible says about His intention: He opened Leah’s womb because she was so hated.  Did you get that?  All this drama came because God was showing compassion to Leah since she was hated. 

So many times we see bad situations from only our side of the struggle, and we jump to the conclusion that God is punishing us or something worse.  But perhaps what we don’t ever think about is that there maybe someone on the other side of the equation who just needs a break more than you do, and maybe God knows that you’ll bounce back.  Perhaps that guy who got the promotion, which you felt like you deserved, has six kids at home, or maybe he is a crisis in his life, or just needs something to go right for him—only God knows.  In the end, we have to believe that God’s sovereignty reigns, and He has a purpose for everything. 

Prayer: Lord, give me perspective to see other people’s needs, even when mine seem so pressing.  In times when I don’t see, give me grace and patience to submit to Your ways. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverb 26

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Peter 3:8-10: But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Questions to Consider

1.  Based on the passage, what were the first century Christians waiting for?

2.  What does Peter give as God’s rationale for delaying?

3.  Honestly, how do you react when the Lord shows kindness to people who don’t “deserve” it?

Notes

1.  From v. 10 (and vv. 1-7), it seems that many first century Christians were eagerly awaiting for the Lord’s return, likely because they were facing trials in their faith. 

2.  The Lord has not returned because He is showing His mercy; He is waiting for sinner to repent and believe. 

3.  Hopefully, you respond by rejoicing, but, of course, this is a personal question.

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was perspective—more specifically, seeing things from other people’s perspective.  Is there someone you’ve had a hard time forgiving?  Have you tried to look at life through his/her eyes?  Where is God leading you in this matter?

Devotional Thought for This Morning

Genesis 25:29-34

 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.”32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Every year, America witnesses the inner savage in all humans—we call it Black Friday shopping. In the past, shoppers have actually pulled out guns but people still refused to let go of televisions and computers even as they were getting shot at. This year, a shopper threw a shoe at a poor innocent baby while trying to beat the rush.  Suffice it to say, we can all agree that Black Friday shopping has taken over and destroyed the meaning of Thanksgiving. Rather than celebrating with families and friends and thinking of the years’ past blessings, people sit in tents waiting in lines, fighting one another. Over what? Just to save some money on items that will soon be outdated. 

In our passage today, Esau trades his birthright for a lousy bowl of soup because of his physical hunger. During the Mosaic times, the birthright, especially of the first child, meant a double portion of the family inheritance. It was their identity as the one to carry on the family line. Growing up, I always thought that Jacob was the conniving villain and Esau was just a naïve victim. But as I read this passage carefully I realized that, although Jacob deceived his brother, Esau had a great fault of his own. He failed to recognize the value and importance of his birthright; he did not fully understand the depth of the inheritance promised to him. As a result,  Esau traded away something valuable for that which would only satisfy his immediate physical need, only to regret forever.

The stories of Black Friday may seem comical, but the reality is, how often have we fallen into the same trap? How often do we chase after things of the world, putting our value and identity in them only to be disappointed?  Sure, we can say that’s life and we are simply victims of it, but at what cost? May we never lose sight of our true identity and the inheritance that awaits all those who believe in the eternal value of salvation. It’s not to say other things are not important and that we shouldn’t pursue them; but it is to pursue them in light of our eternal inheritance. We all have been given something far greater than what this world could ever offer. May we never trade our identities as co-heirs to His kingdom for the fading temporary pleasures of this world. 

Prayer: Father, we confess that many times we put things before You because we think it will satisfy us. However, we know that all these are temporary pleasures, for only You can truly satisfy us. Would You strengthen us in times when we are tempted to forget this truth? Help us to live our lives in light of our eternal inheritance. 

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 25

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:14-17: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God? How does this change our relationship with God?
2. What does it mean for us to be adopted? What are the implications of this?
3. What is the inheritance given to us as sons and daughters?

Notes

1. Paul states that only those who are led by the spirit can come into a new relationship as sons of God. He contrasts this with the relationship between slaves and their masters. Slaves have no authority in their lives and must listen to their masters. Paul is referring to our state prior to salvation when we were slaves to the flesh under the law. Slaves serve their masters out of fear of being punished; but as sons, we no longer serve out of such fear. Instead, as sons, we have a lasting relationship where we address God as “Father”. 
2. In our modern context, the word adoption brings up images of legal papers and processes. However, commentator Warren Wiersbe writes: “The literal meaning of the Greel
3. word is “son-placing”—the taking of a minor (whether in the family or outside) and making him or her the rightful heir.  As heirs, we are then given an inheritance to His kingdom. We have been adopted into God’s family by the Spirit, and not by our own merit.
4. Paul is talking about an eternal inheritance that awaits us—the glory that we will share with Christ! Note, Paul makes a distinction that such glory comes with some suffering along the way. This suffering refers to the discipline that, as believers, we are to live by (Paul speaks of such disciplined life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  But such discipline pales in comparison to “what is in store for us is so grand and glorious that it will be, and will feel, as though we each had alone gotten most of the glory of God” (Timothy Keller). 

Evening Reflection

The 1980’s American classic Annie is a film about an orphan girl who lives under the mistreatment of Miss Hannigan, an abusive alcoholic. The story takes a turn when a billionaire decides to adopt an orphan for a week to boost his public image. Annie is chosen and her life is forever changed as she lives in a lavish house with everything at her fingertips. The story ends with the billionaire eventually adopting Annie as his own daughter. Her life is forever changed from living in a broken run down house under a terrible caretaker, to a lavish mansion under the love and care of her new father. 

May we be reminded that we too were once orphans in this world. And in our hopelessness, God has adopted us as his sons and daughters. Remember we are heirs to His kingdom and we now have full access to all that is His. Spend some time reflecting on this truth.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 4, 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

“Giving Up Something But For What?”

Genesis 25:6-7; 16-18

Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 (These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.) 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.

We have all given up something to be where we are today.  For the sake of your career, think about all the fun you gave up with countless hours for that next promotion; for your family, all the sacrifices you made for your kids; for your health, all the sugary carbs with depressing diets and workouts.  We call these “opportunity cost”: simply put, it is to give up something for something else usually of greater value. 

This was a situation all too familiar for Abraham as he had to make some difficult choices. 

Finally having become a father to several children, that is, after not having even one for many years, Abraham finds himself having to send them away for the sake of Isaac, his promised inheritance. One thing we learn from Abraham’s life is that living according to God’s promise will come at a cost.

For Abraham, Ishmael, in particular, was one of those great costs that he struggled to give up. Remember, Ishmael was the product of Abraham and Sarah not trusting in the Lord. Nevertheless, Abraham spent 15-16 years raising his only child at the time, giving him everything he had.  It is after this God asks Abraham to give Ishmael up and cast him out of his presence.  This had to be one of Abraham’s greatest regrets, perhaps muttering to himself, “If I had only waited for God to come through, or what about all those years I spent with him . . .”  But the story concludes in verses 12-18 where we see that God is faithful to His promise to bless Ishmael and make him into a mighty nation. 

Like Abraham, maybe there are areas in our lives that we simply cannot let go. Perhaps, we are given to thinking that if we let this go, then all the work and effort we put into will go to waste. But take hope in that nothing goes to waste when it is given to the Lord.  May we remember that it is not simply giving them up, but it is giving them to Him. Though these costs may seem weighty at the moment, they will prove to be insignificant in comparison to the promise given to us.  Therefore, let us follow after Him as Abraham did, knowing that He will be faithful to the very end.  Yes, there will be costs, but may we remember the greatest cost that was paid for us—

the very life of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Father, we confess our lack of faith in you. Giving You complete control can be so hard, but help us to see that Your plan is so much greater than ours will ever be. We know that You have what’s best in store for us. Help us to surrender all that we have so that Your perfect will be done in our lives.  

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 24

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 9:57-62: As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Questions to Consider

1. Jesus provides three scenarios in regard to following him. What is Jesus trying to teach his disciples about following Him?
2. What does this mean for us? Does this mean we should not have any of these important things?
3. How does this apply to you? Spend some time in prayer, refocusing and remembering the value of Christ. What are the things in your life that you cannot fully let go of?

Notes

1. The context of this passage is Jesus heading to Jerusalem where he would be mistreated, betrayed, and ultimately crucified. In the first scenario Jesus refers to the fact that following him could mean giving up our securities even such as a place to settle down. Second, it could mean giving up obligations to our relationships that are close and dear to us. Lastly, following Christ means not to look back. John Piper warns us of “indecisive discipleship, meaning you can’t follow Christ if you are second-guessing the value of following him.” Following Christ requires everything.
2. No, it’s a matter of what is priority in your life. When it comes to it, could you and will you put Christ before these important things? It doesn’t mean that you don’t care about them, but it means that you trust in Him enough that He would allow His will to unfold in your life.  It means to believe in the value of His kingdom over all things. 
3. Personal Response. Take courage for Christ welcomes us to follow Him as he walks with us. Remember it may not happen overnight, but it is a life long journey that we walk with him.

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Evening Reflection

Today, some churches try to make the Christian faith more appealing and “nicer” by avoiding ideas around the cost of following Him. It can be discouraging to think about the costs. However, as Christians, we look at the cost in the face of understanding what we gain. That in giving up our lives to Him, we gain the ultimate glory of being with Him in eternity. If we truly understood this, then we would gladly give up the temporary pleasures of this world. 

In light of all that we have considered today, spend some time reflecting on this. Begin with the infinite glory that He promises us, and allow that truth to help us to surrender those areas we struggle to give to Him. 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on September 18, 2016.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Testimony of a New Believer”

John 15:18-27

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you . . . 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well . . .  26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

John 16:8-9

 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me;

In a world that is hostile to their cause, Jesus tells His disciples that they must testify about Him.  The Holy Spirit would testify, but they, too, were to testify.  Below is the story of someone who decided to receive Christ about a month ago as she moves from being resistant to the gospel to embracing and in the end even proclaiming it.  May it encourage us to keep pointing people to God, even in a hostile world, today.  

I always believed in destiny, that is, that everything was planned out without your realizing it – what kind of people you would meet and what kind of things you might do. Once I passed by a church and suddenly had a strong desire to go into it and see its magnificence first-hand. I went inside, sang the songs with a sincere heart, and for a long time afterwards the melody of those songs would not fade from my mind. At that time I basically knew nothing about Christianity. 

The very first time I heard about God and the Bible was at English Corner.  The topic, “Which book has influenced you most?” came up, and two Christians shared about the Bible.  Because of the philosophy I had been taught since I was young, I at first felt offended by things like God and Christianity. It turned my ideology and values upside down. Another time we talked about, “Can people actually feel satisfied and fulfilled?” My answer was, “No, because I have never felt fully fulfilled in my life.” Many people agreed with me, but to my surprise, all the Christians present said unanimously, “I felt fulfilled the moment I received Jesus Christ.” This made me start to think, “What am I pursuing exactly?  What can actually make me feel fulfilled? Why am I living in this world and what makes me different from the grass or flowers?”  Ultimately I realized that all my current knowledge failed to give answers to these questions.

Gradually I started to read the Bible and listened to others’ reflections and testimonies, and then one day I became a Christian. It’s not like everything has suddenly become so clear, but I feel at least a door has opened to me, leading me in a certain direction. A brand-new beginning started for me when what Jesus did for me on the cross washed away all my sins.  I now live to worship and serve Him, helping more and more people receive redemption through Him.  I know that I am deeply loved by Him and will never worry that this love will vanish because He is an unfailing God!

~translation provided by E. Liu

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to testify even as You testify today.  You are already working in the hearts of people in this world; I want to join in that work.  Open my eyes to the opportunities and empower my testimony today.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 23

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Though, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on September 24, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Guess Who is Praying for You?”

John 17:9-11

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

When I was in college, I went on a summer missions trip to Uganda. While there, there was a time when I was feeling a little down, and I came across one of the notes a prayer partner wrote for me. While reading this note, I felt God tell me that there were people praying for me. This lifted my spirits greatly, and in that moment, I knew that there really was power in prayer. When people pray for you, you are changed. Prayer has power and it does make a difference.

Looking at this passage for today, we see that Jesus is praying for us. Isn’t that astonishing?! The Lord of the universe, the One who created everything, prays for us. He says He is praying for those whom the Father has given to Him, meaning those who believe in Him. And what does He ask in His prayer? He prays for us to be kept in the Father’s Name—basically, to be kept in faith. 

As I said before, there is power in prayer and it does make a difference in our lives. And how much more when Jesus prays for us! In this passage when Jesus was praying, He knew us, He knew you; He knew who the Father would bring to Him. And He prayed for us to be kept in His name. How amazing is that! When you are feeling weak in your faith or unsure of your salvation, remember that Jesus prayed and is praying for you. He is interceding on your behalf because He wants you to remain in His Name. Let the prayer of Jesus give you strength in times of weakness!

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being the One who intercedes for me. Without You, I would lose strength, lose heart, but I know You are the One holding me close. Help me to keep abiding in You, to not let go. Give me strength to keep running after You.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 21-22

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 8, 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

“Like Father, Like Son”

Genesis 26:6-13

So Isaac settled in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife. 9 So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’” 10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” 12 And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.

Like father, like son—or in the case of my friend, like father, like daughter. To give context, my friend is a 250-pound man who was known to be like a rock—emotionless and unmovable. That was until his daughter came into the picture and found himself crying. Surprisingly, it was not when she was born, but it was the first time she had done something bad. What made him cry was the fact that he saw his own bad habits in his precious little baby daughter. He couldn’t believe how such an innocent child could follow after his own selfishness.  Even when he was disciplining her, he felt like he was disciplining an innocent baby, a victim of his own selfishness. 

Today’s passage shows us another instance of like father, like son. God finally commissions Isaac; and the first thing mentioned about him is his total failure—a  failure familiar to us. In fear for his own life, Isaac gives up his wife to save himself. Even worse, he risked the promised blessing that was supposed to come through her had she been defiled by the Philistines. It was the same selfish and thoughtless heart that Abraham had, but now in his son. But despite Isaac’s selfishness, God still chooses to bless him and remains faithful to the promise made to him. Pastor Jonathan Parnell describes it as the “Providence of God, where He preserves the order of all things and guides them toward His intended end.” In other words, nothing can thwart the fulfillment of God’s purpose in us (Job 42:2).  

For many of us it’s difficult to think that despite our failures, God still chooses to work in us. In our performance driven world, a failure either means some sort of punishment or disqualification, because we think God’s blessing is conditional on our performance. However, when my friend witnessed his daughter’s selfishness, it did not change his love or affection for her. He still had to discipline her, but even this was done in love for her betterment. Imagine how much our Father in heaven continues to love and desires to work in us. May we be encouraged this morning that He works relentlessly for the good of those who love Him. Even in His discipline, He does so in love, so that we would ultimately become more like Christ. Take heart, for He will finish the good work that He started in you.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to us. Thank You that there’s nothing we can do to hinder Your plans for us. Help us to remember that You are working for our good and that we can trust in Your providence. Jesus, we thank You for what You did on the cross, for nothing can separate us from the love of the Father.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 21

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Lunch Break Study

Read Micah 7:6-9:  For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. 7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. 8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. 9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Micah respond to the sins of God’s people?
2. What releases Micah from the bondage of sin?
3. What can we learn about dealing with sin? How do you usually respond when you have fallen in sin?

Notes

1. The context of the passage is the people of God have rebelled not only against God, but even against each other (v. 6).  First, Micah looks to the Lord and reminds himself that his salvation comes only from the Lord. This gives him the confidence to fight against the enemy’s guilt and shame. Micah puts his hope in the Lord to be delivered from such unrighteousness.
2. In verse 9, Micah writes, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord”—meaning, there is an acknowledgment of sin against the Lord. However, Micah points out that it is the Lord who pleads our case, and only He is the one to execute judgment. Notice here that God is not only the Judge, but He is also his Advocate. As believers we know this was made possible through Jesus Christ who stands on behalf of us and frees us from all condemnation (Romans 8:34). 
3. Our first response must be to look the Lord, knowing that our salvation was never based on our ability to be righteous. Know that it is God who delivers us from our guilt and shame.  Second, let this truth lead us to repentance. Lastly, may we remember that through Christ we are cleansed of all unrighteousness.

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Evening Reflection

Spend a few moments meditating on these verses: 

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! – Psalm 57:2-3

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16

The psalmist was convinced that God knew him, every aspect of him—his past, present, and future. May we come to this conclusion for ourselves this evening. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 30, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with Thrive Church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God’s Will in Marriage”

Genesis 24:1-4

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

 The city of Shanghai has a peculiar event called the “Shanghai Marriage Market.” Think local farmer’s market meets eHarmony. At this meet and greet, parents write the basic information of their child on a slip of paper, and it gets put on display on a wall, along with hundreds of other “advertisements.” Pertinent information includes age, height, job, income, zodiac sign, etc. The hope for parents is that they would meet another parent whose child is a suitable match for their own child. As you might expect, the children mostly despise their parents’ participation in the Shanghai Marriage Market. But it continues to take place on a weekly basis because of the strong desire of parents to preserve their cultural traditions for the next generation. 

In our text for today, Abraham is also very serious about whom his son, Isaac, will marry. He makes his lead servant take an oath to go back to his home-country and find a non-Canaanite wife for Isaac. But what was Abraham’s motivation? Was it simply a desire to preserve culture and traditions? Or was there something much deeper going on? (We see a similar thing happen later when Jacob is in search of a wife in Genesis 28.) 

For a long time, I didn’t understand why God didn’t want His people to intermarry, particularly with the Canaanites. For a second I even thought, Is God against marriage of people of differing ethnicities? But that didn’t seem right in line with the rest of Scripture. It wasn’t until I read Deuteronomy 7:3-5 that I began to grasp what is really happening here: “You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods.” God’s primary concern here is holiness. Abraham’s request was not about racial elitism, nor was it merely about preserving one particular culture/tradition; it was a matter of holiness. Abraham understood the power of marriage to transform and influence his son Isaac, and so it was his final mission to help his son find a wife who loved the Lord, and would help move him toward holiness.

A lot has changed since the time of Abraham and Isaac, especially in dating/marriage traditions. But this truth remains: God’s will for us is to move us toward holiness in/through all aspects of our lives. Whether it’s in marriage, relationships, or even our careers, God’s will is that we grow to love Him more through each of these areas. This morning, take a moment and consider if these areas are moving you closer to Him, or further away from Him.

Prayer: God, may everything in my life be used to draw me closer to You. Especially the areas that have the most impact on me, I ask that You use them to sanctify me. Give me wisdom and discernment to be able to identify relationships/activities that may be pulling me away from You. In all things, I ask for Your grace to cover me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 20

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18: And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Questions to Consider

1. According to Paul, why should we obey these commands?
2. What do all of these commands have in common?
3. What can we learn about the will of God from this passage?

Notes

1. Paul gives us a clear motivation as to why we ought to do these things: because it is the will of God for us!
2. It may not be obvious at first glance, but all of the commands listed here have to do with our character. It seems that God is more concerned about who we are becoming than what tasks we can accomplish.
3. Most often, we think the will of God has to do with career path: “Should I take this job offer or this other one?” But this passage says nothing about occupations, titles, or salary. Instead, it says that the will of God is for us to be encouragers, helpers, patient, doing good to all, rejoicers, pray-ers, and giving thanks in all circumstances. Perhaps you are in a season of your life where you are seeking God’s will. If so, may this passage give you a clear place to start! 

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Evening Reflection

Often, the hardest places to live out God’s will are the places that are closest to our hearts: our families and/or our roommates. For some reason, it’s much easier to be more patient and kind to people whom we don’t have to see all the time. But it’s these people (families, roommates, etc.) that God has placed in our lives that can have the biggest impact in forming Christ-like character in us. This evening, spend some time praying for those that God has placed closest to you.

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 11, 2017.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“No Longer Confused” 

Genesis 11:7-9

Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

One afternoon, I took my son, Nathan, to H-Mart, a local Korean grocery store. At the check-out line, I spoke to the cashier in Korean. My son looked stunned that a foreign language was coming out of my mouth. With confusion in his eyes, he said, “I didn’t know you can speak Spanish.”  I had a good laugh sharing that story with my wife later that evening.  

However, when confusion is a result of misinterpretations and misunderstandings, it is quite frustrating.  Even when speaking the same language with one another, how often our miscommunications and misunderstandings have impeded a project, or worse, wrecked a relationship?  

Well, we can “thank” those who attempted to build a tower thousands of years ago in their attempts to become gods themselves.  That contemptible effort only resulted in God’s judgment of confusing their language, thereby making it impossible for them to work together. 

But confusion, segregation, and frustration was never God’s intended plan; in fact, God made Eve because it was not good for man to be alone.  God’s plan for His children was for them to enjoy harmonious relationships based on clear communication, genuine intimacy, and strong unity. 

Thousands of years later, the pattern of confusion and segregation finally got reversed when Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of God (Mt. 12:28).  Later, as the Holy Spirit came upon all the believers—irrespective of their gender, age or economic standing—at Pentecost, we see the reversal of effect of the Tower of Babel.   There in Jerusalem, God enabled people who had come speaking different languages to hear the good news of God’s kingdom in their own language.  Subsequently, the believers began to live in a new kind of community that once again reflected intimacy and unity.  The language barrier no longer divided as the Spirit of Jesus brought peace, thereby destroying “the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14). 

As our society increasingly becomes polarized over seemingly endless hot-button issues, our words and/or actions based on biblical conviction can often be misunderstood by those on the other side who then respond with sharp criticism and accusation.  This is all the more reason why we should hold fast to the Spirit of Christ so that the Body of Christ continues to break down walls of hostility rather than erecting new barriers. 

Prayer: Lord, give us unity in our churches. Help us to forgive; help us to be generous; help us to submit to one another; help us to live in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 19

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Acts 1:6-8 (NIV): Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Questions to Consider

1. What does the question raised by the disciples reveal about their understanding of God’s Kingdom?  
2. According to this passage, why is it important for the disciples to receive power? 
3. Read the prayer of Jesus in John 17:23 – “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Do you see any connection between the power of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the disciples?

Notes

1. The disciples still had a limited understanding of the Kingdom of God; they still thought that the nation of Israel would soon rule over Rome and other nations. However, God’s Kingdom (spiritual) would arrive on earth through the Spirit of God. 
2. We see that power is necessary for the believers to serve as witnesses of the good news of Jesus. 
3. The result of power and unity is salvation of unbeliever. The “power” of the Holy Spirit is often exclusively associated with sign gifts such as healing and prophecy; however, it is also necessary for the disciples to preserve the unity of peace because, without it, the world cannot tell them apart from unbelievers.   When the world sees a genuine Christian unity, this makes the gospel that much attractive for unbelievers.

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Evening Reflection

Ask the Lord to mend a broken relationship that might be affecting you, especially as it pertains to your family or your church (e.g., pastors, small group leaders, etc.). 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on October 13, 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

“Precious Life”

Genesis 9:4-7

But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. 7 And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.”

Shortly after I got my driver’s license, when I was in high school, I drove some of my friends to the Poconos Mountains outside of Philadelphia for a snowboard trip. The drive would take about two hours, and so it was my longest drive without my parents in the car with me. Before setting off, the mom of one of my friends said to me, “Be careful; you have precious cargo in the car.” For some reason, this stuck with me. The life of my friend was very precious to her mother, obviously, but, really, there is something precious about life in general.

God did not have to create life, yet He did. As His creation, God cares for life; so as stewards of creation, God calls us to care for all life as well. This doesn’t mean we need to become vegans, since a previous verse says that we may eat of “every moving thing” (see verse 3). Yet, we should be mindful of the environment and our impact on it. To recklessly destroy God’s creation is an offense to God and an offense to the role He gave us as stewards.

And above all, God sees the life of humans as precious. Even before the Ten Commandments were given, God gives a warning against murder, as we see in today’s passage. Ending a human life completely goes against the cultural, creative mandate that God had given to mankind. So, when Jesus says that even getting angry at someone is murder (see Matthew 5:21-22), we should take that very seriously. God calls us to love, but anything other than loving those around us goes against God’s design for us, His design for His creation. Let us be a people of love, a people who uphold God’s design for humanity. Let us love not only one another, but also this world that God has entrusted to us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being a creative God. Thank You that designed this world and You designed us out of love. And may we continue to show that love to one another and to this world. Help us to care for Your creation just as You do. May we not neglect our role as stewards of creation.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 18

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 5:21-24: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Jesus amplify the commandment against murder?
2. What is Jesus’ prescription for anger?
3. Who in your life do you need to be reconciled to?

Notes

1. Jesus took a well-known command, “Do not murder,” and made it go deeper. Many people can say to themselves, “I’m a pretty good person since I haven’t murdered anyone.” Yet, Jesus shows us that this commandment goes beyond action; the command cuts to the heart. We commit murder even by getting angry at someone else.
2. Forgiveness! Though many will read this passage and think it’s about not being angry, it’s actually about forgiveness. Unforgiveness, in a way, is like murder – it tears people apart. God’s design for humanity is love, a love shown through relationship.
3. Don’t just gloss over this final question. Think deeply and ask God to help you see to whom in your life you need to be reconciled to. Ask God for His help to bring true reconciliation and forgiveness.

Evening Reflection

Before going to sleep tonight, ask God for forgiveness in the ways you’ve damaged His creation – whether through anger, unforgiveness, or even through damage to the rest of God’s creation. Ask God to give you His heart towards all of creation.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on April 17, 2017.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Fellowship with the Father as God’s Children”

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

When thinking about great heroes of the faith, George Muller should be considered on anyone’s list. Born in 1805 in modern day Germany, Muller established several orphanages in England, which cared for over 10,000 orphans during his lifetime. Despite exorbitant costs, Muller never made requests for financial support to anyone except God. Yet time after time, God’s provision of financial support would come at exactly the right time. Muller’s incredible faith and prayer life inspired other “faith missionaries” such as Hudson Taylor, who would go on to establish China Inland Mission (now known as Overseas Missionary Fellowship).

Learning about men like George Muller may lead us to wonder how some can reach such incredible levels of faith and prayer, especially when we have orphan-like tendencies. For some of us, our prayer lives are non-existent. For others, we realize that we use our prayers as a way to manipulate God for our own pleasure. We “delight in God” so that He may give us what we want, and we continue to “delight in Him” as long as our desires are being fulfilled. The apostle James notes that this tendency is a form of adultery and warns that such living signifies friendship with the world (James 4:3-4).  

The saddest thing is that God, our Heavenly Father, eagerly desires to converse with us (Zeph. 3:17). He longs to capture our hearts so that we would be more like Him, allowing us to live life to the fullest (John 10:10). When we receive, by faith, God’s delight in us through prayer, we as His children will begin to delight in Him. And as God becomes our utmost desire, our desires slowly but surely align with His, leading to the ultimate fulfillment of Psalm 37:4.

It is only through prayer that we lose our self-will and receive power to do God’s will God’s way. It is only through prayer that the kingdom of self is demolished and the kingdom of heaven is glorified. Rather than asking God to change our circumstances, can we ask God to change us? Let’s do so today. 

Prayer: Father, thank You that You love me and long to have fellowship with me. I confess that my time with You has been lacking or has primarily been about me. Father, I want to live the life that You want me to live. Change me from the inside out, help me to become more like You and to desire what You desire. May You be lifted high in my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Proverbs 17

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Romans 8:26-7: We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

Questions to Consider

1. What is the hope in which we are saved?
2. Oftentimes, we have trouble knowing what to pray for. How does God help us in this?
3. How does this truth comfort you in the midst of your struggles?

Notes

1. The redemption of our bodies, which our adoption to sonship will eventually bring. We no longer have to live as orphans as we have the Holy Spirit in us. 

2. The Holy Spirit helps us and intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will.

3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

How has God been speaking to You today? What are some of your desires that are not aligned with His? Only God can bring change or even the desire to change. Let’s ask that He would empower us for the next day.