REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 3, 2017.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Preaching the Gospel…to Yourself”

1 Cor. 15:1-2

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Are you a snoozer, or are you the type of person who gets up at the first beep of your alarm? And once you’re finally out of bed, what is your morning routine? Yes, we groom ourselves, brush our teeth, change our clothes, etc., but besides those routines, what are the thoughts that fill your mind each morning? Do you wake up with a sense of gratitude for another new day? Or do you find yourself hoping for the day to pass before it has even begun? 

This morning, I woke up knowing that I had tons of things to take care of: get the kids ready for school, prepare for meetings, reply to emails, browse through the news and current events, set appointments to meet with people, just to name a few. When it comes to my thought-life, that seems to me my morning routine. Each morning, it’s as though we have a “to-do-list” app in our minds that just opens up, reminding us of everything that needs to get done for that day. Some days, it can be overwhelming for many of us. 

But what if each day began with the reminder that you are loved by God, fully forgiven through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Spirit of God so that you live out the purposes of God each new day? What if your day began with the reminder that you are part of a family of God that cares for you? What if every morning you were reminded that God invites you to His Kingdom works and that your life is full of meaning? What if there was a reminder that no matter what you might face today, you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus? 

Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the “good news” that he had preached time and time again. It’s the gospel that saved them, and because it was so easy to forget it, he reminds them again. 

A popular pastor once admitted that he preaches the gospel to himself everyday. Not a day passes where he does not “remind” himself of the good news of Jesus Christ. Take a few moments now to preach this good news to yourself. 

Paul Tripp said, “No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.” You’re probably going to say a lot of things to yourself today. Let’s make one of those things you say to yourself today be a reminder of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, Your gospel has saved me from death into life. Thank You for Your sacrifice and Your love for me. Continue to remind me that I do not live my life alone nor aimlessly. Thank You for a new life, a new purpose, a new family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 12

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Matt 25:1-13 (NIV): At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’  7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the significance of the bridegroom returning at midnight in this parable? 
2. In your own words, what does it mean to “keep watch” for Christ? 
3. As each new day comes and goes, do you find yourself becoming more like the wise virgin who is ready or more like the foolish virgin?  

Notes

1. No one knows the moment when the Lord is coming. There is a need of being prepared at all times for the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
2. In light of the authority of Jesus and the truth of His Word, we need to ask ourselves, “Am I ready for His return?” Even if Jesus doesn’t return today, we may take our last breath in the coming hours. We must, therefore, be prepared to meet God. 
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

What can you do tomorrow morning as you awake to remind yourself of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Make a concrete plan, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you wake up tomorrow morning to a new day. 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 31, 2016, 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).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Lesson About Power and Authority I Learned as a Parent”

John 4:46-54

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

In my parenting career, I have tried just about every tactic to get my children to listen to me:  I have asked nicely; I have yelled; I have pleaded; I have threatened; I have bribed; I have punished; I have over-punished; I have shown grace; I have tried time-out; I have tried Korean time-out; I have spanked; I have counted 1-2-3; I have taken away privileges; I have banished them to rooms; I have banished them early to bed—the list goes on and on.  And yet I find myself constantly having to repeat myself.  It has gotten so bad that I find myself repeating even to my wife, simply because I am so used to having to say things multiple times before they are carried out: “Honey, could you get me some water?  I would really like some water, please.”  You know what I lack?  I lack authority in my household.  When I speak, no one trembles in fear of my power or instinctively obey because they know that I am correct and righteous.  

Christian theologians will often describe the difference between power and authority as such: Power is the ability to influence or control people, outcomes, or events; whereas, authority is the recognition of that power by others.  Authority needs power to back it; and without power, authority can be empty.  However, without authority, a powerful person becomes a bully.  In my household, I am undoubtedly more powerful than all of my children—meaning, that I can, by brute force, make them do whatever I wish.  However, until they see that I love them and know better than they, they will never recognize my authority and willingly do what I wish.  

As a person with little recognized authority, I appreciate both the power and the authority of Christ, and how He wields both.  In today’s passage, we see that Jesus had the power to heal the official’s son from distance, as He was about a day’s travel away.  Jesus speaks and sickness flees.  In other passages in the Bible, we see that nature and even demons obey His word.  Jesus is powerful, and all things in creation recognize His authority—all things, except people.  For whatever reason, God has given His people the option to recognize and submit to His authority or not to submit.  Christ is not going to be “a spiritual bully.” We have to follow Him willingly.  I don’t know how that thought makes you feel, but I hope that this day, you will choose to live under His power and authority and submit to Him.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You hold all things in Your hand.  You say that heaven is Your throne and the earth is Your footstool; there is no place that can contain Your greatness.  Yet You choose to live in the hearts of Your people.  Help me to follow You, not because I am powerless against You, but because I see You are good and know all things.  Help me to fully surrender to You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Joshua 11 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Joanna Tzen, was first posted on August 6, 2016.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Our Worries”

John 6:5-9

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 

This passage of Jesus feeding the five thousand is familiar to many of us, which is also chronicled in Matthew 14 and Mark 6. Matthew 14:14 tells us that Jesus had compassion for the crowd, but Mark 6:34 adds that it was because they were like sheep without a shepherd. From reading this chapter (John 10), we can see how the sheep responded to the teachings of the Good Shepherd. As a result of His compassion, Jesus stayed to teach the crowds, but at the end of a long day, He also wanted to provide for their physical needs. When He asks Philip to provide, Philip is incredulous and immediately calculates the cost—even though he knows Jesus is with him and is able to work miracles. However, a small boy pipes up that he has food, even though it can maybe feed only one small family.

I am the sort of person who worries often and calculates; so I can relate with Philip when he looks at the circumstances or mountains more than the One who moves the mountains (Matt. 17:20). It is not that counting the cost is bad, as Jesus does urge us to count the cost of being disciples (Luke 14:25-33). However, when we offer what we have, like the young boy did, we trust with a child-like dependence and faith that Jesus can make the impossible possible.

If you are like me and Philip, maybe you can ask the Lord to help you see which mountains He wants you to depend on Him to move. If you know a Philip, maybe you can pray and encourage that person to have a child-like faith and know that Jesus can be trusted.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my lack of faith, and help me to see how You are trustworthy. As today is a new day, filled with new mercies (Lam. 3:22-23), I pray that Your Holy Spirit will enable me to better remember Your character and promises.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 9-10

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 30, 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.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“You Thought Jude was Talking About False Teachers?”

Jude 12-13, 16

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever… 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

This passage describes the character of these false teachers who have infiltrated the church: “shepherds feeding themselves,” “following their own sinful desires,” and even “showing favoritism to gain advantage”—revealing how they are driven by self-promotion and benefit. Such people lack substance and are useless to the community. They are ungrateful people, grumbling and not content with what they have been given.  The church is called to contend on behalf of the faith against such people. 

But in reality, this description can sometimes describe us. How many times have we grumbled because we thought that we deserved something we can’t have?  How can we have so much yet feel so discontented about what we don’t have? In fact, there is a picture on the internet that comes around every Thanksgiving that reads: 

I think what is incredible about the Scripture here is that it does two things with one passage: In one sense, the passage warns us of why these false teachers must be addressed, revealing the true nature of these bad characters, thus helping the church to recognize them for who they truly are. But at the same time, this passage puts our grumbling, our discontentment, our lack of thanksgiving, our using of other people for our own benefit into perspective. It shows us how these things in our hearts reveal the true evil intent of our character.

Yes, we are called to contend for the faith and to guard and fight for the purity of the church. But we also must take the words of Jesus Christ seriously: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8.7)—it is both/and. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word that is indeed sharper than a double-edged sword. We thank You that through the power of the Holy Spirit, You correct our often skewed perspectives, which ultimately shows our wrong view of You. We want to yield to Your truth carefully so that we do not unnecessarily harm others or harm ourselves in the process. Teach us Your ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 8

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Numbers 16:1-11 (This is one of the accounts that Jude refers to in this passage): Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent[a] 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” 4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. 6 You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers 7 and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”8 Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! 9 Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the Lord’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? 10 He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. 11 It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”

Questions to Consider

1. Take a moment to summarize what’s going on in the passage. Why was Korah, Dathan, and Abiram so upset with Moses and Aaron?
2. What do we learn about the reality of our grumbling and complaining?
3. Take a moment to read verses 31-35. How serious does God take this offense? How is God wanting to address your heart at this moment?

Notes

1. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rise up with 250 men amongst the people to rebel against Moses and Aaron. Korah grumbles at the fact that Moses is in a position of power over the congregation. Korah, himself being a Levite, had special duties (see v. 9-10) and yet didn’t see how his own calling was special as well. 
2. In v. 11, we learn that our complaints and grumblings are ultimately directed towards God who is in control of all things.
3. Personal response. Note the severity of God’s response to Korah—meaning, God takes our grumbling and complaining very seriously.

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Evening Reflection

As you have reflected on how often we grumble and are discontented, I pray that it has led you to recognize that we are actually directing these complaints against God. Let us be reminded of all the ways that God has provided for us and has orchestrated our life. What are some of these things that you are grateful for? Take a moment to jot down these things, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving over them.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 2, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Whose Politics? Which Morality?”

Proverbs 18:2 

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

When it comes to the beliefs of our fellow human beings and even those who “claim to live in Christ” (1 Jn. 2:6), we can be greatly perplexed at the diversity of opinion—how is it that people, many of whom are educated and of goodwill, can believe so vastly different things about the nature of reality? 

This incredulousness was certainly evident during the recent presidential election. Many of even the same families and faiths came to adopt two radically different positions concerning visions of the moral and political good during the election, very roughly categorized as liberal and conservative. 

For liberals, they saw a hard-working, honorable, and capable candidate in Hilary Clinton who was ready to pave the way for women to break the glass ceiling of a patriarchal rooftop and continue Obama’s struggle for a more just society. Trump was the incarnation of Satan: unethical, unqualified, and, most importantly, a bigoted normalizer of the triune unpardonable sin of our time in the threefold manner of racism, sexism, and homophobia. “How could anyone, much less a follower of Jesus, vote for a man who talks about minorities with such disrespect? How can we vote for a man who knows so little and lies so much?” they asked out loud. Support for Clinton was support for justice over injustice, plain and simple.

For many conservatives, they perceived Clinton to be the epitome of corruption who would force Christians to accede to the unjust mandates of social justice activists in the arenas of abortion, homosexuality, and religion: they wondered, “How can Christians support someone who so blatantly defies God in her advocacy for same-sex marriage and abortion? How can we back someone who so dangerously threatens our religious liberty? How can we vote for a person so corrupt and full of deceit?” Many conservatives saw hope in Trump for a revitalized economic future. Others voted for him as a buffer to what they perceived to be a greater evil, namely the felt threat of liberalism to the ideals of morality, freedom, and true religion.  Supporting Trump was akin to U.S. support of Stalin during World War II against the Axis powers—not ideal, but necessary to defeat the bigger threat. 

This is truly an American age of polarization, of radically different conceptions of the good. One person’s idea of marriage equality is what another would call the degradation of public morality. One man’s religious freedom is another’s religious bigotry.  One woman’s reproductive rights are another’s genocide of children.

The problem of fundamental disagreement is a profound one, and I can only offer some cursory thoughts as to finding a way through. Christians must carefully evaluate their own philosophy and competing philosophies, always measuring them against “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).  Christians must earnestly seek wisdom to discern the various visions of ethics, politics, and justice (James 1:5, 3:17-8). And, perhaps most importantly, Christians must be willing to respectfully listen to others and truly attempt to understand where others come from, even while humbly disagreeing (Lk. 9:54-5)—if the Golden Rule applies to the political realm as well, then I think it would demand nothing less.  

So, join with me this month as we examine several election-related issues that, if handled without the “Radical-Middle” (both/and) and adequate knowledge and compassion, threaten to compromise our prophetic (i.e., theocentric, nonpartisan) witness to the unbelieving world.  

Prayer: Father, this morning, I’m amazed at Your grace once again, for I’m truly blessed.  As Christ exhorted us to love You with our minds as well, motivate and strengthen me to study the issues according to your truth, and then embody that truth in how I live by the power of the Spirit.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 7

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:19: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Lev. 10:16-20 (ESV): Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17 ‘Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.’ 19 And Aaron said to Moses, ‘Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and yet such things as these have happened to me!* If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the Lord have approved?’ 20 And when Moses heard that, he approved.

*Aaron’s two sons died earlier that day for disobeying God’s explicit command (Lev. 10:1-2).

Questions to Consider

1. Why was Moses so quick to get angry with his brother Aaron?  

2. What calmed Moses down, that is, becoming “satisfied” (NIV) with Aaron’s reason for not complying with what he was told to do?

3. Application: The quickest way to end any dialogue these days is to label your “opponents,” who are merely articulating their views, with some belittling and insulting terms.  Do you think everyone who disagrees with your position deserves such treatment?  Ultimately, what does that say about us, in terms of who we are and how much we really know about things?

Note

1. Moses knew that Aaron failed to comply with what he was told to do, but Moses didn’t consider why it could’ve happened that way; in other words, he didn’t truly listen but was quick to speak and become angry. 

2. After hearing Aaron out, Moses understood that Aaron was mourning for his two sons who had died earlier that day as God’s judgment against them; in other words, Aaron was in no mood to eat.

3. I understand why people of the world would behave a certain way, but when followers of Christ do the same, it means that they have been influenced more by the media and academia than God’s Word.  It suggests that what they know lacks both depth and breadth because quickly labeling someone (“hater,” “bleeding-heart liberal”)—which torpedoes any rational conversation—suggests that they have run out of cogent things to say.

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Evening Reflection

Paul told Timothy, Pastor of the church in Ephesus: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).   This wasn’t an easy thing to do, since Paul was referring to the Roman Emperor Nero—a madman who murdered his own mother Agrippina to secure his power.  The President-elect Trump certainly has done foolish things, but matricide isn’t one of them.  If the early Christians could pray for Nero, we should also pray for Trump (as well as Mike Pence).  Would you pray that they would become humble people who would take God’s Word seriously and govern our country with His wisdom and compassion?  

Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on March 8, 2017, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun through whom God founded the Radiance Christian Church (S.F.) in 2012. Mark, after stepping down as its Lead Pastor in January of this year, is currently on a sabbatical. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

1 Corinthians 7:17, 24-8 (NIV)

“Biblical Theology of Sex”

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. . . . 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 

 I know that the main point of this passage isn’t about maintaining one’s virginity but being content in one’s current situation.  However, in today’s over sexualized society, being content in one’s relational status is clearly connected to keeping proper sexual boundaries until marriage.  In her book Sex and the Soul, Donna Freitas captures the essence of the modern struggle on the issue of sex from one of the women she interviewed for her book.  She quotes her as saying:

“Until recently my faith has been completely absent from my dating life…So I decided to give up sex and dating because I don’t know how to date without sex anymore.  There are virgins, born again virgins, and then there is me, a thinking it through virgin.  I feel that I have no right to apply the word “virgin” to myself but there is a kinship somewhere between my recent decision and a kind of virginity.”  

I believe this is the proper application of grace for single adults who are trying to live out their faith in the context of dating.  You have to make a commitment to date without sex and to resolve to remain a virgin.  If you cannot date without being physically involved, then you are still not mature enough to date seriously.  If you have past sexual history, this type of resolution is what allows you to reclaim a sense of your purity that you feel has been lost and to prepare yourself for future marriage.  

I know that preaching sexual abstinence in the modern world seems crazy, but Christians need to overcome this sinful trend and to remain set apart.   Here are three practical steps to maintaining your sexual purity until you the day of your marriage: 

1.  Understand the difference between a consumer and covenant relationship.  In a consumer relationship, you test the waters and make sure that everything is to your liking before you make the commitment.  A covenant relationship says I will make the commitment, no matter the flaws and problems that I find.  

2. Develop a biblical theology of sex.  A famous Jewish rabbi once said, “When a man unites with his wife in holiness, the Shekinah is between them in the mystery of man and woman.” The breadth of this statement is sobering when you consider that this Shekinah glory is the same presence experienced by Moses when God met with him face-to-face (see Exodus 24: 15– 18).  

3. Realize the limitations of sex and marriage.  Neither sex nor marriage was meant to completely satisfy and fulfill our deepest longings.  To believe that someone else can fulfill you completely is to put an unfair expectation on yourself and the person you love.  

Ultimately, the purpose of sex and marriage is to point us to the perfect spousal love of Christ.  It is common these days for Christians to talk about intimacy with Christ.  This has its roots in Christian mystics who understood intimacy with Christ as the idea that the passion and yearning that you have for your spouse is but a small taste of what you can experience with God.  They believed that the most effective way to break the power of sexual sin and temptation was to lose yourself completely in God’s love, to surrender yourself to Him, and live a life completely devoted to serving Him.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be satisfied with my marital status at this moment.  If I am married, provide me with the love to make this relationship happy and lasting.  If I am single, provide me with the grace to keep my sexual desires under control and to remain pure until the day of marriage.    If I have failed, help me to receive Your forgiveness as I resolve to live for You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Joshua 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV): “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ j 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 

Questions to Consider

1. Why does Jesus place such a high standard on sexual purity?
2. How can we apply the extreme measures that Jesus commands us to take against lust?
3. Why is the punishment so severe for the sin of lust?  

Notes

1. At the bottom line, Jesus is most interested in the purity of our hearts.  The Pharisees in their quest for holiness had narrowed down the definition of sexual purity as simply being free of an adulterous relationship.  But Jesus, as He did with the sin of murder, takes the issue of sexual sin into the depths of the human heart.   
2. Most people don’t take time to reflect on the self-destructive nature of sex driven by our lust and broken sexuality.   Jesus has done that reflection for us, and His bottom line is that lust is so dangerous that it is better for you to pluck out your right eye and cut off your right hand before you fall under it’s control.  This is a figurative way of Jesus telling us to do whatever is needed, go to whatever extremes necessary in order to deal with the problem of lust.  
3. For the modern person, Jesus’ warning that uncontrolled lust can bring a person to the doors of hell go largely unheeded as being old-fashioned or intolerant.  But the Hebrew word that is translated as “hell” in your Bibles is the word Gehenna, which actually is a reference to a literal place outside of the walls of Jerusalem where historically, Israelites who had turned against God went to worship the idols of Baal and Molech.  And the literal warning that Jesus is giving us is that the same judgment reserved for idol-worshippers is the same fate reserved for those who cannot find a way to get their lust under control.  

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on your thought life today.  Were you filled with negative thoughts like anger, jealously, or lust?  Consider what Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8, and end the day meditating on these things: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 9, 2017, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Generosity”

2 Corinthian 9:6-11

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 

Last week, a deacon and I went to East Asia to serve at a retreat. Since we arrived a few days earlier, we were able to spend time with the local church leaders. During lunch time, we met with a group of leaders to hear how God was working in the church—it was a time of laughter and encouragement. But once the bill arrived at our table, we started to bicker back and forth over the bill, and each time, the church leaders would tell me, “Just accept love.” While I was frustrated with not “winning,” I was incredibly encouraged to see how eagerly they wanted to bless us with their finances.

In this passage, Paul uses an illustration of planting seeds and applies it to the area of generosity. We see that the Corinthian church had not yet given money to the Jerusalem church but have only eagerly wanted to do so. Therefore, Paul uses this passage to explain the spiritual blessing behind being generous—just in case they decide not to give.

Like the Corinthians, I believe that many of us fall into this struggle with generosity. In our minds, we know that generosity is a spiritual blessing; but when we actually are called to give money, it becomes a spiritual struggle. Paul describes three blessings that come from being generous: First, he makes it clear in verses 6, 8, and 10, that generosity leads to material blessings, along with an increasing desire to become more generous. Second, Paul understands that our battle with generosity is a process of our sanctification. As we grow in righteousness, it will become easier to give. Verse 10 and 11 says, “…and will enlarge your harvest of our righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” Lastly, our generosity leads to greater worship onto the Lord. The end of verse 10 says, “…and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

For myself, I struggle with generosity because I struggle with trusting in the Lord with my heart, mind, and strength. However, as I am learning more about generosity, I realize that God is in control and always provides. Do you struggle with offering your finances to the Lord? If so, what are your reasons? I want to encourage you with this passage that shows us that spiritual blessings will come for those who strive to become generous.

Prayer: Dear Lord,thank You for being a generous God. You gave us your most precious gift, Jesus. You ask that we imitate You and be generous with our resources. I know that being generous is a struggle, so I ask for more of Your grace to cover me in this area. I want to grow in my generosity, ultimately to see people worship You! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 4:32-35: Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Questions to Consider

1. What fueled generosity within the church after Pentecost?
2. According to this passage, what kind of perspective does a believer need to be generous? 
3. How is your generosity?  Has it grown over the years?  What (fear?) is holding you back?

Notes

1. Unity was a key factor in having people sell their possessions and give to those in need.
2. A believer needs to understand that what they own truly does not belong to them, but to God.
3. Personal response. 

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Evening Reflection

In light of today’s sharing on generosity, what are some reasons that hinder you from becoming generous? What are some practical steps that you can take to become more generous to your church community or others who are in need?

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 20, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Be Imitators of Me”

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

A famous author once said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”  We all have people and role models in our lives where we want to strive to be like them in their character, abilities or even their way of life.  In high school, I played for my varsity golf team, and I remember wanting to be like my golf coach in many ways.  He was a talented teacher and golfer, and knew how to specifically help each of my teammates with their swings and pointed out areas of improvement. He also taught us to play the game with honor and ingrained in us the importance of losing graciously.   We were told to respect our opponents and congratulate them, even when we lost.  It’s something that I remember even today.

Imitation is an important concept taught in the New Testament. We are told to imitate Christ, imitate mature believers, and to imitate faithful churches.  Paul is saying here to imitate him as he imitates Christ.  What a bold statement!  Paul had just reminded the church in Corinth the pattern of his Christian freedom, which was to not seek his own profit, but for the profit of the many that they might be saved.  The reason why Paul was so confident in his Christian living was his responsible use of his Christian liberty in particular, that he was an imitator of Christ in ministry and humility.  

Can we say the same thing about ourselves?  How do we use our Christian freedom?  The truth is that we are all an example for someone. Whether we like it or not, someone is watching us and our life is influencing them.  Do our lives point to Christ? Are we being that example of a Christ follower to our church, family, friends, co-workers and neighbors?

Start this morning by surrendering to the Lord.  Pray that in all the areas of your life, you can say to others, be imitators of me as I follow Christ.  

Prayer:  Lord, help me to echo Paul’s prayer to the people in my church, family and world.  Maybe I live in such a way where I can confidently say – follow me and I follow Christ.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 9:33-37: And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you think the topic of greatness was argued amongst the disciples?
2. According to Jesus, what is greatness?   What does it look like?
3. What can you do practically this week to practice greatness?

Notes

1. The disciples still thought Jesus was an earthly Messiah, who would come and overthrow Roman rule and achieve great earthly status.  The disciples wanted to have high positions of power and authority once Jesus reigned.  
2. Jesus defined greatness as servanthood – one that serves.  When we want to be great in God’s kingdom, it means we serve others and look to the needs of others like He did.  That’s how we become great.  
3. Learn how to serve others – be intentional and look out for the needs of others.  Learn to sacrifice and to give your time and energy to serve people.  

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Evening Reflection

Meditate on the Scriptures you read today.  Pray for conviction, and ask the Lord how you can apply these passages this week.    

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 17, 2016, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman—now a friend of AMI—who had served at Grace Covenant Church UC (now Philadelphia) for a long time.   

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Being Ready for Any Attack from the Enemy”

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I have been enjoying a new exercise class at the YMCA called Body Combat—a non-combat, martial arts-based fitness program with moves drawn from karate, tae-kwan-do, boxing, and muay thai. Prior to this class I had zero experience with any type of martial arts, yet I love this class for several reasons: First, exercising with others motivates me to keep going when I feel like giving up. Second, the class instructor always pushes me beyond my limit.  Just when I think I have given all I have got, she would challenge us towards the next level by pushing, kicking and working harder.   Third, I feel empowered as I learn and practice martial arts moves, like how to take basic defensive stance and offensive tactics— such as throwing punches, jabs and hooks with my hands, and different kicks with my feet. More than exercise, this class is equipping me to remain calm and have the confidence to defend myself in case of an assault.  Whenever I am throwing punches, however, I imagine my target practice as my arch enemy, Satan, and I begin to believe and act like a warrior.

Too often Christians take on a mindset of being a fearful, helpless, defenseless victim of Satan—the enemy of our soul.  The enemy tries to deceive believers into thinking that we are powerless to stand against his attacks. We are taking punches from him left and right, questioning why we are being attacked, and why God is allowing it to happen. Some even go as far as to blame God for their own fears and defeat.

God’s Word teaches us that we do have an enemy who is seeking for opportunities to strike against us: 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Scriptures also give specific commands on how to fight back as a warrior of Christ, instead of a defenseless victim: 1Peter 5:9: “Resist him, standing firm in faith”; and Ephesians 6:10-18: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils’ schemes.”  

As sons and daughters of the King of kings and Lord of lords, we are born again to become mighty warriors in Christ.  Let’s keep encouraging each other to daily sharpen our sword by taking the time to soak in the Bible and to know and live the truth, so that we would be transformed and free. When the lion seeks to devour us, may we stand firm to wield the sword, to throw the punches, and to live out our true identity as mighty warriors, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ.

Prayer: Indwelling Holy Spirit, keep reminding us the truth that we are no longer slaves to fear, but that we are adopted, beloved, empowered sons and daughters of God.  Through Christ our Lord, we have the power to overcome the enemy and to live consistently as God’s mighty warriors. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 3

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 23, 2016, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.) just planted a church in Seattle called “Seattle Upper Room”.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Were the Pharisees Always the Bad Guys?”

John 2:13-17

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” 

When you study the history of the Jewish people, you might be surprised to find that the often criticized group of the New Testament called the Pharisees had God-honoring intentions when they were first formed. During what is called the intertestamental times (in between the Old and New Testament) or the 400 years of silence, the Pharisees began as a group that sought to maintain the purity of the Jewish faith, while the Jewish people were scattered and under foreign oppression. However, by the time Jesus enters the scene in the New Testament, what started as good intentions soon became religious stubbornness. 

You see such effects in today’s passage. It can be argued that the reason why these merchants and money changers were there was to serve those who trekked long distances to pay homage at the temple during holiday seasons such as the Passover. What started as good intentions quickly turned evil and displeasing to the Lord as time passed. Perhaps a lack of checking their hearts or fighting against the temptation of even the smallest of compromises, whatever the reason may be, we see how quickly humans can taint good things. 

How are you doing? Are there good practices or honorable ways of doing things that were originally meant for good but due to compromises, arrogance, or lack of reverence, these things have become ineffective or worse, self-serving than God serving?

Tomorrow is the Sabbath, where we gather together as a church body to worship the Lord and minister to each other. It is a good thing. But perhaps to the unchecked life, Sunday worship has become just a routine without the expectation of a true encounter with the living God. Especially for those who are serving, are your intentions pure before the Lord? 

More than anything, we need the Holy Spirit’s examination of our hearts on a daily basis:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts,” writes the psalmist. May this be our prayer today and every day. 

Prayer: Father, thank You that You desire for me to be holy more than I do. Please reveal by Your Spirit areas that have become calloused and tainted in my heart, so that these things can be overturned and cleansed from me. And although that process may often be painful and require deep surrender, may I always trust that it is out of Your love for me that You do this. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 1-2