September 12, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 29, 2016, 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 Thoughts for This Morning

“Barabbas and the Rest of Us”

John 18:39-40

But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

All that we know about Barabbas was that “Barabbas was a robber.”  Scripture has nothing positive to say about this man. It is safe to say that Barabbas was considered the scum of society at that time—a notorious prisoner (Matt 27:16), most likely destined to see the inside of a jail cell for the rest of his days. 

But one day, the crowd began to chant his name: “Barabbas! Barabbas!” Hearing the commotion, Barabbas must have thought the worst—that his execution day had come sooner than he anticipated. But as the soldiers who dragged him out began to unshackle his limbs, it dawned on Barabbas: he was being freed. Impossible! There was no hope of freedom left for him!  How was this happening? 

As he moved about freely for the first time in ages, perhaps he caught a glimpse of the other prisoner, the man named Jesus. I wonder if Barabbas knew at that moment that he had been the first of many for whom Jesus would die. 

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Barabbas, but we know that Jesus took his place. We know that because of Jesus, this undeserved sinner was given life again. We also know his name means “son of the father” (bar = son of; abba = father). 

In a profound way, Barabbas represents all of us who believe in Jesus. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And now we have become sons/daughters of the Father. Spend some time today thanking Jesus for taking our place!

Prayer: Lord, we thank You that you suffered and died for us while we were still sinners, unaware of Your great love for us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 5:6-8: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Questions to Consider

  1. How did God show His love for us?
  2. What is unusual/different about the timing of God’s love?

Notes

  1. God showed (demonstrated) His love for us when Jesus died for us, while we were still sinners. In other words, Jesus’ death on the cross is God’s ultimate act of love for us.
  2. For most, love doesn’t exist (or last very long) unless it is a two-way street. Typically, love is the last stage in the maturation of a relationship. First we make acquaintances, then a few of those become friends, and from there even fewer eventually make it into our inner circle—those whom we call “loved ones.” But God starts the relationship with love! Before we became “friends” of God, and even before we made our acquaintance with Him, He loved us and died for us. What does it look like for you to display this kind of love towards others?

Evening Reflection

The Hebrew word for “compassion” shares the same root as the word “womb.” The idea is that a pregnant woman already loves her baby. Even if she hasn’t seen, heard, or held the baby yet, she would give her life for it. This love of a mother over the baby in her womb is a dim reflection of God’s love over us. Read this verse and spend some time reflecting on God’s great love over us:

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

(Isaiah 49:15-16)

September 11, Monday

Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on September 9, 2016, 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, is currently on a sabbatical.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Wash Your Feet? No Way!” 

John 13:1-11 (ESV)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

We know historically that the washing of feet was the most menial chore reserved for the lowest slave in the house.  In fact, it was almost considered a breach of human dignity to force someone to wash the feet of guests; and because of that fact, Jewish servants were exempt from this awful duty.  In a city like Jerusalem, it would have been a common thing to dump your refuse on the streets; and so you could just imagine the grime and filth that would have found its way under people’s feet.  It was so bad that some of the rabbinic teaching advocated that only Gentile slaves be used to wash feet. 

It’s no wonder that Peter reacted the way that he did.  Due to the contrast between the exalted position of Jesus and the demeaning nature of foot washing, it makes complete sense that Peter reacted with the statement, “Lord you will never wash my feet.”  In all of the ancient literature, there is no other example of someone in such a high position of power taking such a low position of service.  It was unheard of and it was unfathomable to Peter that Jesus would take the place of a slave.  Peter obviously did not realize that the washing of his feet was a mere symbol of a far deeper spiritual cleansing to which Jesus alludes to when he says, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.” 

However, the washing of our sin goes beyond our personal relationship with Jesus— it impacts our relationships with other believers.   If you have no part with Jesus, then neither can you be a part of the authentic Christian community.  A person who has no experience of having their sins washed by the love of God can never fully take part in the depth of relationship that is available for those who have received the forgiveness of their sins.    

The thing that keeps us separate from one another, the thing that ensures that there is always a distance between two people is the barrier of sin and the shame that it causes.  We see it from the very beginning of human relationships where Adam and Eve see their own nakedness, and then they go about covering themselves so that they no longer have to be transparent before each other.  This is the perfect picture of the human dilemma: we want to be known and accepted for who we are, but deep inside we know that who we are is not acceptable.  So we hide behind our masks, our facades, and we try to project our areas of strength and hide our weaknesses.  We cover ourselves with our degrees, our success, our social status, and our wealth; but all the while, we struggle with the growing sense of loneliness.   In washing us through His blood, Christ makes us acceptable before God; and if we are acceptable to God, then surely we are acceptable to one another.  In this way, Jesus not only provides a way to the Father, He is also the means by which we can fellowship with one another.  

Prayer: Lord, gives us understanding of Your humility, and how You came not to be served but to serve.  We pray that Your example of love will be the foundation of our churches and lead to genuine fellowship among brothers and sister who bear Your Name.  As You have washed our sins with Your love, teach us how to love one another in a manner that covers a multitude of sin.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  John 17

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 6: 5-11 (ESV): I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Questions to Consider

  1. What is principally wrong in taking another Christian to court?
  2. What is the true damage that is done when Christians air their disputes publicly?
  3. How does Paul address the state of the believers in Corinth?  

Notes

  1. I don’t believe that Paul’s intent was to completely negate lawsuits between Christians, but the bigger issue was the utter lack of Christian wisdom in the Corinthian church, and their failure to understand their true purpose in God.  Sometimes this verse has been used to hide crimes within the church, and that’s should never be the case.  However, the civil disputes that inevitably rise among us should be handled with love and mercy.  
  2. When Christians are unable to peaceably resolve their disagreements, our witness to unbelievers become far less credible.  This is Paul’s great concern with the Corinthians, that their lifestyles and treatment of one another was tarnishing the reputation of Christ and the church.   
  3. Although Paul reminds the Corinthians of their sinful history, his emphasis is on the fact that they are no longer these things.  They have been washed and sanctified by Christ and the Holy Spirit, and therefore they ought to live out this new life and stop acting like their former selves.  

Evening Reflection

Have you sensed Christ’s love for you today?  What does it mean for Jesus to serve you and minister to you?  Spend some time in prayer, reflecting on the ways God has demonstrated His love for you.  Take time to listen for His voice.  

September 10, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on October 2, 2016, 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/

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Would You Die for Lego Characters?”

John 19:17-18

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

As a child, I loved LEGO toys. I had chests full of legos, and the shelves and windowsills of my room were always decorated with my latest lego creations. But legos hold an even more precious place in my heart because, believe it or not, it was through legos that I had my first revelation about the cross of Jesus Christ. 

I figured that Jesus coming to die for me, one of His created beings, was as ridiculous as me giving up my life to save one of my lego characters from being destroyed. As I played out various scenarios in my imaginative mind, it was obvious to me that I would never do such a silly thing. For example, if I had dropped a lego man in the middle of a busy intersection, and I could see that a huge truck was going to smash the little lego man… would I dive after it and sacrifice my life for the sake of rescuing that lego man? Of course NOT. After all, I can just create a new lego man. To die for a piece of worthless plastic—there’s no point to that! Then I began to stand in awe of how preposterous, how mind-boggling, how incredible is God’s love for us that He would die for us—His lego pieces, that is, His creation. In that moment I felt so small, but also very loved.

That was my first memory of being in awe at the cross of Christ. But now I know—God’s love is even more preposterous, and more incredible than even that. And the more I meditate on it, the more I realize how deep, how wide, and how unfathomable God’s love for us actually is!

Today, let us meditate on the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; ask God for a deeper understanding of his unfathomable love for us.

Prayer: Lord give us the grace to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Thank you for demonstrating that love for us on the cross.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 16

September 9, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 30, 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

“Have You Tried It Yourself?”

John 4:39-42

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word.42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

When I was in my 20s, I laughed at men who told me they practiced yoga.  Though I knew yoga was a great way to relieve stress— limber one’s body and strengthen the core—I couldn’t get over how feminized the practice had become.  You go to any yoga class and the ratio of guys to girls is something like 8:1. Plus, everyone wears these tight clothes, and all the instructors seem either too crunchy or too spacey. It just wasn’t for me, so I mocked it.  Then I hit my 30s and noticed how tight my muscles had become—meaning, I started pulling muscles when I over exerted myself.  Long story short, I tried yoga, and I really felt a difference.  Now before you start laughing at me, I am not very consistent and still a beginner–and I don’t own tights!  But I like it and would probably benefit from making yoga a part of my weekly routine.  

Here’s the point: some things (like yoga) not only need to be experienced before they can be truly appreciated and understood, but until they are experienced from within, they will look silly and remain misunderstood.  This is the truth the Samaritans of Sychar found out about Christ.  Sure, at first they had the woman’s testimony, but when they themselves came to Him, invited Him into their homes to listen to Him, they truly experienced and believed in Him; and after that, their old ways of worship seemed silly and obsolete.  

Oftentimes, people struggle with Christianity because they have not earnestly sought God out nor experienced Him.  Such people will ask: “How is it possible for a prayer meeting or a retreat to be more fun than going to a party, watching a movie, or having a great dinner? Why would I spend my vacation time doing mission’s work in Romania, when I could be going to Hawaii?  How could giving my money away be more rewarding that buying that really big TV?  Why would I move to a foreign country to share about Jesus, when I could stay here and make a good living and have a good life?”  

Maybe it’s because you haven’t experienced for yourself what living the Christian life is like.  You haven’t felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit as you engage in worship; you haven’t invested in a person and watched him turn his life around, nor have you fasted and prayed for a person who would eventually break his addictions.  Perhaps you’ve never taken a leap of faith and uprooted your life, only to see God provide in subtle yet miraculous ways, or you’ve never obeyed that still small voice and felt God’s pleasure upon you.  You’ve never poured your energy out on a church plant and watch it grow to hundreds.  Maybe you’ve never praised with the angels in heaven, because you’ve never helped anyone come to faith in Christ.  

Look, I haven’t experienced all of those things either, but I’ve seen enough to keep me wanting more.  Believe me when I say this: Christianity needs to be experienced practically, not just theoretically.  If you have not truly experienced Christ, it is going to feel silly giving your life for it.  This morning, be truthful with yourself:  Have you truly tried to give yourself fully to Christ and His work, or are you still an outsider looking in?  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to experience the life for which You have created me for.  Please let me taste and see that You are good.  Give me faith and resolution to follow after You with all my heart and really live this Christian life.  Thank you for Jesus.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  John 14-15

September 8, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 23, 2016.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“True Freedom” 

2 Peter 2:19

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

What is true freedom? Freedom is often associated with the absence of rules and restrictions. Our culture has defined it as being given free rein to do whatever our hearts desire. But is freedom about having no constraints at all? Are rules and boundaries in opposition to freedom? I would say no. As Tim Keller puts it, “A fish, because it absorbs oxygen from water rather than air, is only free if it is restricted and limited to water. If we put it out on the grass, its freedom to move and even live is not enhanced, but destroyed. The fish dies if we do not honor the reality of its nature.” In other words, freedom is not the total absence of limits but rather finding the right ones that allow us to flourish and thrive as people. 

It seems that the false teachers had been luring away believers by promising them freedom—the freedom to let their lustful passions run wild as they pleased. They argued that the gospel had brought them freedom and it was at their discretion to use as they pleased. And in one sense, the false teachers were correct. Freedom is at the heart of the gospel. However, it is not the freedom to do whatever we want. It’s being freed from the power of sin and death and having to fulfill the law on our own. In other words, we are freed from sin to be slaves to Christ—not so that we can do whatever we want.  

Oftentimes, many of us find the rules of Scripture to be stifling and burdensome. But I want to remind you that they were placed in our lives for our good. God is our Creator and knows us inside out. He understands what we need and the desires of our hearts. And the boundaries prescribed to us are not to suppress us but for us to flourish and live lives of true freedom and joy. For this reason, take delight in His word. It is for our ultimate good! 

Prayer: Father, help me to delight in Your word and commands. At times my heart feels burdened by it. However, help me to feel a sense of freedom and joy in following Your commands and give me the strength to do so! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 13

Lunch Break Study 

Read Psalm 119:97-104: Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103  How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Questions to consider 

  1. Why does the psalmist delight in the words of God? 
  2. What steps can you take to cultivate this type of posture towards God’s commands? 

Notes 

  1. He finds true understanding and wisdom in the words of God, more so than his enemies who seem to be looking elsewhere. This implies that by following God’s word, it is leading him to a life of goodness, away from evil and every false way. It has not only given him more wisdom but has tangibly affected his life in a real practical way. 
  2. Personal 

Evening Reflection 

We live in a culture where we are constantly bombarded by the media. Our minds are constantly being filled with various messages and ideas. It has become increasingly more difficult to slow down and meditate on the word of God. Let us make sure that we create time and space in our days to quiet our worlds and meditate on God’s word. Take some time tonight to do so.

September 7, Thursday

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

“Contend for the Faith”

Jude 1-4

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

I recently took a class with a professor who was a staff sergeant in the Vietnam War. At the youthful age of 20, he quickly found himself in the swamps of Vietnam with the burden of leading a group of men into war. As he recounted many of the horrific things he had experienced in the war, he taught us the importance of training disciples in the church. He believed that the term “disciple” isn’t just reserved for those who are in positions of leadership or are well equipped, but rather, anyone who has come to Jesus for salvation and surrendered their lives to His Lordship. In other words, all Christians are disciples. And he challenged a classroom of around thirty future leaders and pastors of churches to take this calling seriously. As he quickly learned in Vietnam, a squad is only as strong as its weakest member. 

Despite the brevity of Jude’s letter, you’ll notice that Jude wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter. Even though he is “very eager” to write to them about their salvation, he sees that there is another urgent matter at hand. He addresses the rise of false teachers (much like in 2 Peter) within the church who are “perverting” the message of God’s grace.

If something like this were to happen in your church, it would be very natural for us to quickly rely on the church leadership to deal with the situation. But take a look at who is being addressed: “those who are called.” In other words, this letter is written to all those within the church, since this calling applies to everyone who believes in Jesus. 

The call to “contend for the faith” is given to all saints, not just the leaders or pastors. You, dear brother and sister, are called to defend the faith and fight for the purity of the church. You are called to fight for the unity of the church, to not let falsehoods or sin remain within the church. You are called.

Members of a church are not spectators—we are participants. We are not just consumers—we are workers and builders. Every member of the body is called to get into the grit of life so that as a whole body, we may be pure before the Lord. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for engrafting me into the family of God through Your blood. I realize that this invitation is not just an invitation to consume or observe, but to get involved and build up. Forgive me for the ways I’ve stood by passively. Help me to be one who speaks and acts in truth for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 12

Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Peter 3:13-7: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is Peter exhorting the church to do?
  2. What is the implication of this passage? Why should we be ready to “make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for our hope”?
  3. In what ways are you pushing aside the challenges of people who are questioning your faith? In what ways are you avoiding making a defense? Remember, the sin of omission is just as sinful as the sin of commission. How is God challenging you to respond?

Notes

  1. Peter is calling the church to do good despite what the physical/worldly consequences may be. Peter calls the church to always be ready, in speech, in manner, in action, and in thought. It is a call for the church to be above reproach, and in times of defending the faith, no one can bring any opposition against them.
  2. The implication here is that the church will face opposition even if they are doing good. Even when the church acts in good conscience, there will be those who bring charges against them. There will be a time of questioning. And it is the duty of the church to be ready to honor Christ.
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

How have you thought differently about your part in the church today? Has anything changed about your commitment to the church body? How might you live/act differently starting tomorrow? Take a few moments to journal your thoughts and commit them to the Lord in prayer.

September 6, Wednesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 20, 2016.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“The Road to Character”

2 Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualitiesare yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

David Brooks, a New York Times op-ed columnist makes an interesting observation in his book, The Road to Character. He writes that Americans have become obsessed with creating an impressive resume. We want to graduate from the best colleges, earn as many rewards as possible in our respective fields, and gain enough experience to merit the respect of those we’re seeking approval from. And this isn’t all that surprising because we live in a meritocratic society. Our resumes prove our worth to those who hire us and give us the jobs we desperately want— without it, it would be impossible to fulfill many of our dreams. For this reason, we spend all of our energy and time into creating the perfect resume—even if it means that we sacrifice relationships and other important areas of our lives. In other words, resumes have become our number one priority. 

However, 2 Peter 1:5-8 call us to pour our efforts into an entirely different endeavor. Yesterday we learned that God has provided all that we need for life and godliness. In light of this, the apostle Peter calls us to respond, not by working towards a better resume, but to make every effort in becoming more like Christ; to build upon the foundation of faith and add virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. This passage suggests that what is of utmost importance is not our resume but our character; not where we graduated from but how well we love. 

I believe that this is a much-needed reminder for the church. In a busy world that demands our very best, it’s so easy to neglect the content of our character. As a result, many of us have enjoyed great success in our careers at the expense of our character. We’ve grown our resumes but our capacity to love and remain steadfast have dwindled or remained stagnant. This isn’t to say that striving for well-paying jobs is bad. We should all strive for excellence and be ambitious. But it should never take priority over the growth of our character. Let us take some time today and repent before God and ask Him to make you more like Him!

Prayer: Father, I confess that at times I make my life about me and what I want. I spend so much of my time thinking about my career and my ambitions. Help me to desire the things of You, that my time and energy would go into becoming more like You. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 11 

Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthew 6:25-33: Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Questions to consider 

  1. What is Jesus commanding us to do? 
  2. What is the promise that Jesus gives to us in verse 33? 
  3. What are you always anxious about? 

Notes 

  1. Jesus calls us to not be anxious about our lives and trust in God, to not worry about not having enough. He points to how God provides even for the sparrows and the lilies. If He cares for lesser creatures, how much more will He give us all that we need as His sons and daughters.  
  2. If we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything that we need will be added to us. In other words, if we make God’s concerns our first priority, we don’t have to worry about anything else. God will provide! 
  3. Personal. 

Evening Reflection 

Take some time tonight to reflect on your character. Where are you lacking? Do you need to learn how to love better? To be more generous and think about others? As the busyness of the day winds down, take time to pray and ask God to reveal the content of your character, and invite Him to begin the process of transformation! 

September 5, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on November 8, 2016.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for Today

“Thinking about the Next Year’s Election In Light of the 2016 Election”

Hebrews 7:11-22

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”); 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Today is Election Day! And when it’s done (unless something weird goes on… weirder than what has already been happening this election season) we’ll know the next president of the United States of America. 

There’s no denying that this election season has been a tumultuous one. Not just because the candidates from the two major parties have the lowest approval ratings anyone alive has ever seen. But also, and more significantly I think, because the thoughts and opinions of many Americans regarding how we should live together and how we view one another have been laid bare through their support of certain candidates and platforms. And it has been a little scary hearing what we actually think of one another, what we value, and how we envision our best life together (if together at all). And no party or candidate is exempt… there has been cause for concern from them all.

Throughout the last few months, I’ve learned a lot about what people think will save us. That might sound dramatic, but as “concerned citizens” share their immovable support and vitriolic denouncement of various candidates and policies, I’m convinced that the intensity of it all points to an underlying belief that some sort of political figure or change that comes through government will be the thing that finally saves us (from any number of things/people) and affords a life that satisfies and fulfills. 

Much like the Hebrew writer’s audience, we too are deceived about what can save us. While the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system should have revealed its own inadequacies and the need for something greater (Jesus!), our broken society should do the same for us. More than politics, Jesus is the hope of the world. And that means that no matter who is in power, it is the LORD, His work of salvation and redemption and His coming Kingdom, that will ultimately save and give abundant life. 

So, as many of us vote today, may we make wise decisions that reflect the heart of God, and remember when the results come in, that the LORD is at work and we trust in Him.   

Prayer: Lord, for generations humanity has somehow missed just how broken we are. As I look at the society around me today, may I not be mistaken about what it is that we truly need – You. Give me grace to participate in my communities in a way that honors You. Give me perspective to see things the way You see them. Grant me hope as I await Your coming Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 461-11: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is a refuge? Why would someone need one? According to the passage, what does having God as a refuge do for His people? 
  2. How do God’s promises in vv. 4-7 encourage us? 
  3. What is God’s command in v. 10? Why are we able to obey this command? 

Notes

  1. A refuge is a place of shelter and protection for those fleeing some sort of impending danger or lack. And a refuge isn’t just a place that allows those fleeing to come in (i.e. protection – keeping the bad things away), but it is also a place that provides a new home (i.e. shelter) and all that entails, recognizing that those fleeing have little or nothing and need help. This is what God does for us. We come to Him in need of protection and shelter and He affords it to us. Knowing that the God of the universe is our protector and provider gives us confidence. No matter what we face, we have no cause for fear. 
  2. We know that God is with us and that His victory is assured. This should be an encouragement to each of us. Spend some time reflecting on how it encourages you personally. 
  3. God commands us to “quit striving” (or be still) and know (acknowledge and trust) that He is God. We can do this because He accompanies the command with a promise –  He will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. We can take that to the banks. We can also do this because we know His track record and his promises of what is to come (vv. 8-9).

Evening Reflection

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Spend some time praying for the nation you call home and nations around the world. Pray especially for the leadership and the governing powers. Pray also for the people, keeping in mind any situations you know the nation is facing. 

September 4, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 17, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Nations at Odds with the God of the Bible”

Acts 4:23-8

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”

The Oakland Athletics was the last team to win three consecutive World Series from 1972 to 1974.  Ironically, although the players feuded among themselves, their common dislike for the team owner Charles Finley brought them together.  Similarly, Herod and Pilate, who “had been enemies,” became friends over making sport of Jesus (Lk. 23:11-2).  Perhaps, that friendship pales in comparison to an alliance formed among Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin during the World War II.  While Roosevelt and Churchill must’ve been horrified to later find that Stalin engineered the genocide of millions of people, including the Russian leader in the alliance must have seemed like a good idea since their common enemy was Hitler.

So, what does it mean that the nations, rulers and people plot in vain and rage against God?  Today, it means, first, when the heads of the nations seek to work together, the last thing they want to discuss and to avoid conflict, is God and religion.  Actually, that has changed: exculpating Islam as a religion of terror has now become a vogue. (The “mainstream” Islam isn’t.) Consequently, the God of the Bible, relegated to the level of the gods of world religions, is ignored or even chastised for alleged past wrongs.  Once, President Obama, while condemning the terrorism of ISIS, mentioned the Crusades as if to say, “You Christians were no better.” (It’s not that simple.)  

Second, the moral values and the spiritual truths the Scripture advocates are bypassed in lieu of their secular counterparts.  For instance, while UNESCO’s sex education curriculum tout abortion and contraception, abstinence is merely mentioned as “only one of a range of choices.”        

Third, it means that people who don’t believe in God mock His existence as well as the believers.  Long before Richard Dawkins penned “The God Delusion,” Sigmund Freud wrote, “When a man . . . accept[s] all the absurdities [of] religious doctrines . . . we need not be greatly surprised at the weakness of his intellect.”

So, since nothing has really changed from the past, we shouldn’t hide and be passive; rather, we should show the world why the Christian faith offers a more reasonable faith than other world religions—for this life and the afterlife; and demonstrate the intellectual bankruptcy of atheism.  To do that, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, diligently study the Bible, and read critical books that can stretch our minds.  

Prayer: Father, I marvel at Your infinite patience over humans who constantly defy You, even questioning Your very existence.  While it must be infuriating to see this disturbing pattern generation after generation, You’ve been amazingly merciful by giving us many opportunities to get to know You through the gospel of Christ.  Thank You! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  John 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 11:1, 3-8: Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. . . . 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.

Question to Consider

1. There is a first-time for everything: what happened here that had never happened before?

2. What was intrinsically wrong with what they did?  Are we guilty of doing the same thing?

3. In a general sense, how would you respond to those who advocate atheism or religious pluralism?  What would be your basic strategy (Ps. 14:1; Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12)?

Notes

1. This was the first time that humans united themselves to directly challenge God’s authority, that is, the right to rule men.  Of course, Adam and Eve did that as well, but it was done at an individual level (but with a widespread consequence). 

2. This was an attempt to deify man as if to say, “We don’t need God anymore; since we got up here on our own, we will govern ourselves from here and out.”  Anyone who doesn’t believe in God or any “believer” who doesn’t allow Him to rule his/her life is really no different from these men.  

3. I would show inconsistencies in their views.  First, I would ask how all religions can lead to the same God when their essential doctrines are as different as night and day. Second, I would ask the atheists to explain the origin of the universe—none that they offer is factual but rather a preferred belief.

Evening Reflection

As you look back to today, did you hear anyone mocking God and the Christian faith?  How did you respond?  Why did you respond the way you did?  1 Peter 3:15 says: “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”  Are you obeying that command?  Pray for boldness and wisdom.  And also, read a good book:  I am presently reading The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life by Armand M. Nicholi, a Harvard psychiatrist—I highly recommend this book.  

September 3, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 24, 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

“What True Faith Is”

John 2:23-25

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

I used to lay in bed as a kid with my legs propped up on the wall. This was my thinking position. And I would spend hours just thinking about some of the weirdest things. When I would think about God, I would often pray, “God, if only You would show Yourself to me, then I wouldn’t struggle as much believing that You are real.” I think we’ve all prayed that prayer before. I have met countless number of people who have gone to amazing conferences and incredible mission trips, bringing back stories of how they had witnessed God’s unbelievable power at work. I, too, have had those experiences. 

But the truth is that despite these powerful experiences, we know people or perhaps we are these people that come back from these experiences, only to fall back into our struggles and denial of the realness of God. Perhaps when we face opposition or life takes an unexpected turn, the brilliance of that moment begins to dim.

Today’s passage is a bit strange at first glance. Jesus can almost seem cold or distant from the people, but when we meditate on it, it reveals something deeper about faith. Commentators note that not all of Jesus’ powerful works have been recorded up to this point, but it can be understood that Jesus had performed many more miracles and demonstration of His power throughout the region. And through witnessing these mighty acts, many have come to believe in Him. In fact, in the previous chapter, Nathanael came to follow Jesus because he had witnessed Jesus’ supernatural power. And yet John writes that Jesus did not entrust Himself to them. 

Two things to gleam from this passage: (1) Faith is much more than seeing and believing or just being convinced. Faith requires more than cognitive agreement.  (2) True faith means not only trusting in Jesus but a deeper connection with Jesus where He entrusts Himself to you. I wonder if this is what He means when Jesus says to His disciples, “No longer do I call you slaves, but I call you friends” (John 15:14-15). And Jesus is inviting us to this kind of faith. One that goes beyond head knowledge, but an all-encompassing kind of faith. Simply put, a faith that is found in a relationship. How will you respond to His invitation today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the ways You continue to demonstrate Your incredible power among us today. But thank You also for inviting me to something so much more substantial than that. Thank You for inviting me to something where I am not just a spectator but a participant. May I walk in that reality every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 8