REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 12, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Does It Mean that We Struggle as Believers?”
Romans 7:19-20

For if I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

We want to be a good person, yet we fail in so many ways. And it frustrates us to no end; evidently, that’s how Paul felt as well.  We want to forgive or stop our sexual sin, yet we find ourselves not being who we want to be.  For many, this routine of failure can cause painful questioning: Is God even with me? How can I live with these feelings of self-doubt, loathing, and shame? Am I even a Christian? How can I change?

But, that struggle is a mark of being a true believer.  The Christian and fake Christian may commit the same amount of sins in a given period, but the difference is in the heart.  The fake believer is one who shows no sorrow over sin, who has deliberately gone off-road from the Christ-like path.  In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee is more outwardly righteous but is condemned by God since his heart shows no sorrow and humility regarding sin; the tax collector, a worse sinner to the Pharisees, is accepted by God since he humbly cries out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Lk. 18:13). 

So, we must not give up.  We must always look to Christ to give us the power for moral transformation (Eph. 4:28-9). We must always ask forgiveness for our daily sins (Matt. 6:11-12). We must look to Christ for comfort amidst our frustrations and guilt regarding sin (Heb. 12:2). As we continue on the path of sanctification, we will find greater freedom, although it may take much time. 

And that was the experience of a pastor who finally found freedom from years of torturous struggle with strip clubs and pornography.  He confessed: “I cannot tell you why I had to endure ten years of near-possession before being ready for deliverance…. But what I can tell you, especially those of you who have hung on every turn of my own pilgrimage because it so closely corresponds to yours, is that God did come through for me. The phrase may sound heretical, but to me, after so many years of failure, it felt as if he had suddenly decided to be there after a long absence. I prayed, hid nothing (hide nothing from God?), and he heard me.”  

Prayer: God, I exalt and I praise You above all things.  What a sight it must be, seeing us act so holy and righteous outwardly but inside we are full of envy, greed and selfishness.  How awesome it is that Christ always intercede for us before You (1 Jn. 2:1), imputing His righteousness to us!  Thank You.  Amen.
Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 13

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:9-10: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Galatians 5:1:For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Cor. 7:1: Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of bodyand spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Question to Consider

1. What assurance can you draw from these promises?

2. What is often the reason for us thinking that we aren’t all that sinful (e.g., the Pharisees)?

3. What is our part in freeing ourselves from the yoke of slavery to sin?

Notes

1. While we aren’t always sure whether the people whom we offended would forgive us after  confessing our sins to them, Christ assures us that He will ALWAYS forgive.  Furthermore, He  assures us that His interest extends to liberating us from the bondage of sin. 

2. We compare ourselves to someone who seems to be behaving worse than us, which guarantees a feeling of moral superiority.   Therefore, Paul says, “But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12).

3. God’s promises, such as always forgiving our sins and freeing us from the yoke of slavery, should  prompt us to discipline ourselves to extricate us from things that defile us.   There are some things  under our control that can lessen the possibility and frequency of sinning.  Can you think of any? 

Evening Reflections

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”   Not everyone will respond to the same verse in the same way at a given moment.  What inspires one may be quickly forgotten by another.  What is a verse that speaks to you now that may inspire you to not sin against God?  For instance, does this verse speak to you? : “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 23, 2016, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past had served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Would Jesus Think?”
Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

My old youth pastor told a great story of how once, when he was jogging around the track at his local high school, some big guy jumped him from behind, put him in full-nelson, and began questioning/berating him about his ethnicity. Apparently, this person had lost a member of his family in the Vietnam War, and because he thought that my youth pastor was Vietnamese, he assumed that somehow my pastor was responsible for the tragedy (which happened over 30 years ago).  After diffusing the situation by convincing him that there was a difference between Vietnam and Korea, my youth pastor, who was understandably very upset, went home and grabbed a wheat sickle from his garage and started to leave the house, determined to do something bad to his attacker. Thankfully, his mother cut him off (get it?) and was able to calm him down.  At one point, his mom—trying to reason with him—asked him directly, “What about your Christianity?  What would Jesus think?” to which he replied, “I don’t care!”  His point in telling this story was that he was so angry and humiliated by what had just happened, he didn’t care about his actions, his faith, or anything else.  I know the way the story reads, it sounds really intense and scary, but the story was meant to be comical, and all of us were laughing as he told it.  
Hopefully, you’ve never been so angry that you didn’t care if you committed murder, but have you ever been in a situation where you just did not care about your actions or its outcomes?  Perhaps the situation did not rise out of anger; maybe you were having so much fun that you didn’t care where the night would end, or you were in a business venture and the rewards seemed so great that you didn’t care what you had to do to make it happen.  Here is the point: as believers, you never want to look at sin and say, “I don’t care what God thinks” or even, “God will forgive me later.”  Look how today’s passage describes the one who deliberately sins; it is akin to “trampling the Son underfoot, profaning the blood of the covenant, and outraging the Spirit” (v. 29).  Without trying to sound too condemning, we need to remember that sin is serious— it is a serious affront on the character of God, and it is the reason why Christ died on the cross.  Because we are loved by God as His children, let’s do our best to “care.”  
Note:  Please remember that this passage talks about those who “deliberately” sin.  If you are struggling with an issue or addiction, keep fighting—there is grace for you.  
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to truly love the things You love and to truly hate the things You hate.  Help me to walk in holiness to honor You, and because I know it is good for me.  Allow me the strength to resist sin and run toward righteousness.  Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Mark 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4-9:Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Questions to Consider
1.  According to this passage, what can we do when we are full of anxiety?   2.  Why is it beneficial to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, etc.?  3.  What are some other ways you can strive for righteousness?
Notes
1.   Instead of being anxious, Paul instructs us to pray (vv. 6-7).  In the process of prayer, God will give us His peace.  Have you experienced God’s peace when you prayed? 2. It’s been said that in order to drop bad habits, you need to replace them with good habits.  Training or renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) to honor God is similar to this: we need to replace thoughts of anger, bitterness, jealousy, lust, etc. with truth, love, and God.  This is one reason why memorizing Scripture is so powerful.   3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was about avoiding sin and striving for righteousness.  Are there some good habits that you’d like to pick up?  Are there things you need to avoid altogether.  Have you thanked Jesus for taking the punishment of sin in His body, so that you don’t have to?  

Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on August 9, 2016, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun through whom God founded the Radiance Christian Church in 2012. Mark, after recently stepping down as its Lead Pastor, is currently on a sabbatical. Continue to pray for his health as Pastor Mark underwent a very serious surgery this past Monday. 

Devotional Thought for the Morning

“The Difference between Authority and Power”
John 12:37-50 (ESV)
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” 

Leighton Ford, the brother-in-law of Billy Graham, in his book Transforming Leadership states that the two words to best summarize the earthly ministry of Jesus  are: authority and power.  Stephen Neil, in his study on the life of Christ, concurs  with this assessment and writes: “The Jesus who strides through the Gospels is a  man of immense and terrifying power.  He is the master of every situation.  He speaks with authority and not as the scribes.  He is never at a loss for an answer…   He knows how to draw men and women to himself in a devotion which will prove  stronger than persecution and death.”  
Those who study the field of leadership have debated on what the difference is  between authority and power, but the general consensus is that power is the ability  to change unwanted circumstances so that they align with your own desires, while  authority is the ability to command that change by the sheer force of your will and  personhood.    In relation to people, authority then is the ability to get others to do  what you want, because they recognize through your life that what you ask of them  is legitimate and right.                                                                                                                                             And in Jesus, we find this perfect balance of power and authority in the miracles that  He performs, the life that He lives, and the obedience that He demands.   Because His  authority comes directly from the Father, there is no earthly parallel to the sheer  power and influence that Jesus commands at His will.  Many of us would agree with  this assessment of Jesus, but at times we fail to show Him the honor and the  devotion that He is so worthy of.  Too often, we settle for a lukewarm faith that Jesus  simply did not allow for, and ultimately, this points to something that is lacking in  our modern experience of Christianity.  The unavoidable conclusion that was made  by every person that met Jesus was that He was someone that demanded some level  of reaction—either to follow Him or to reject Him.  The authentic Jesus did not leave  room for a middle ground.                                                                
Like the authorities who believed but could not confess their faith, we too can fall  into the trap of loving the glory that comes from the world rather than the glory that  comes from God.   This morning, let’s pray that the Spirit of God would lead us to a  deeper understanding of Christ’s authority, so that we may be drawn to Him with  complete devotion.  
Prayer: Lord, may we receive Your word as the sole authority over our lives.  Show  us how to honor You with our devotion and to live in a manner that is worthy of the  gospel.  Help us to seek the glory that comes from God, over and against any glory  that we can receive from man.  Amen.
Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 11

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 10: 23-33(ESV): “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 
Questions to Consider

1. How can Christians make decisions on non-essential matters of lifestyle?
2. What does Paul mean when he addresses the subject of Christian freedom on the ground of conscience?
3. How can we balance doing everything for the glory of God, and at the same time try to please everyone in everything?  

Notes

1. In the gray areas of Christian behavior, the rule of the thumb that this passage points to is how our actions impact the good of our neighbors.  Does the exercise of our liberties serve to build people up around us and benefit them, or are they solely about my own good?   
2. Paul advocates that we make decisions on Christian liberties not just on personal conscience, but also based on how it affects the conscience of others.  Even if your conscience gives you the freedom to act in a particular way, if you know that your behavior negatively impacts the conscience of a brother, then it is best to refrain.    
3. From Paul’s point of view, the good of all is measured by how people can be brought to salvation.  If the saving of souls is your primary motivation for life, then living for God’s glory and trying to please people are in perfect alignment.  It is when you forget this directive of the gospel that pleasing people becomes dangerous.

Evening Reflection

In what ways were you aware of Christ’s authority in your day-to-day activity?  How did you adjust your actions based on doing all things for God’s glory?  Have you been motivated to share your faith, both in words and deed?  Pray that the Holy Spirit would give you boldness to truly live for the glory of God.  

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on February 25, 2016, is written by Tina who attended Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). She and her husband Anthony will soon be moving to E. Asia to serve as missionaries. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What’s Your Ammo?”
Joshua 1:1-9 (NASB)
Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2“Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the laws which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

In preparing to serve at a new AMI church in Asia, a close sister from California asked me, “What’s your ammo?” She said “ammo” is the spiritual ammunition or weapon I need to overcome spiritual obstacles and to combat the attacks of the enemy. Knowing that I would be facing a significant change by leaving California to live and serve in a different country, she wanted me to be aware of the ways I might be vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, and thus, prepare my ammo. Why is it important to prepare ammo? The reason is, as God’s masterpieces, we are all Satan’s targets. While God has appointed us to bear lasting fruit and to experience His promises, Satan aims to deceive us, confuse us, and rob us of what God has in store. 
When God called Joshua to lead Israel to inherit the Promised Land, God prepared Joshua with “ammo.” God called Joshua and Israel to inherit His promise of land, but they would need to overcome many obstacles in order to walk into God’s promise. First, Joshua faced a daunting change as his mentor, Moses, passed away and he is Israel’s new young leader. Second, the Israelites were weak in military strength compared to the nations that were occupying the land of Canaan. Fear and intimidation could cripple and defeat them. God called Joshua to be armed with the “ammo” of His Word and His presence. The strength of the Canaanites would cause Joshua and the Israelites to melt in fear, but the truth of God’s Word and His presence would enable Joshua to courageously lead Israel to inherit God’s promise.
I believe that the ammo I need is daily surrender of my own control and trust in God’s control. Being quick to control situations in the midst of uncertainties is my weakness that Satan could target. By meditating on God’s Word day and night, I desire to surrender my control and to genuinely trust that the Lord is with me and will help me succeed. 
You are God’s masterpiece, and also Satan’s target. What weaknesses or obstacles do you have in your marriage, relationships, family, workplace, and ministry that Satan might target? Ask the Lord to equip you with “ammo” so that you may live victoriously today.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to see that the obstacles that I face before walking into Your promise and blessings are opportunities to exercise my faith in You. Help me to be strong, to be courageous and to meditate on your Word day and night, so that I may hear Your voice and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  
Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 10

Lunch Break Study

Read John 10:7-10 (NASB):Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.?
Questions to Consider
1. Why does Jesus use the pasture and sheep metaphor? 2. What is Jesus’ desire for His disciples/sheep? 3. How do you see Satan trying to snatch the joy of the Lord and love for the Lord away from you? What would it look like to live out Jesus’ promise of having life to the full?
Notes
1. Sheep belong in their shepherd’s pasture and are fully under their shepherd’s care. Yet sheep are defenseless and prone to wander, so shepherds protect sheep from being harassed or snatched away from thieves and robbers. Sheep are also trained to listen to their shepherd’s voice. In the same way, disciples are in the care of our Master and Shepherd, Jesus. Being the Good Shepherd, Jesus protects and leads His disciples so that we learn to listen to His voice of truth.  2. Jesus desires that through His sacrificial love displayed on the cross, we would be restored and have an abundant life in Him. 3. Personal Reflection

Evening Reflection

Christ did not redeem us to live a defeated or mediocre life. He chose us and redeemed us so that we  may live an abundant life, bearing lasting fruit. Reflect on this verse tonight from John 15:16: “You did  not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit  would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 26, 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

“Losing the Sight of the Simple, Pure Gospel”
2 Peter 3:1-7
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

My wife and I just celebrated our first anniversary. Time flies, doesn’t it? It seems just like yesterday that I experienced the rude awakening of ring shopping. Because neither of us knew anything about engagement rings, we went to one of those big-name jewelry shops to get educated. The man who helped us was a genteel, old man with a faint British accent. Sensing our ignorance, he proceeded to school us in the 4 C’s of diamond shopping: carat, cut, clarity, and color. He showed us two diamonds, both seemingly nice and shiny. But it was bewildering to find out that one diamond cost $1000 more than the other. The reason? The purity of the diamond. Details that the naked eye could not see made all the difference. When you look closely, you see the impurities, the discoloration, the nitty-gritty details that change the valuation of the diamonds.
In this final chapter of Peter’s letter, we see the reason why Peter has written his two letters to the church: I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder… The word sincere here is the same word we get the word pure, a word used to describe the kind of purity found even under the examination of sunlight. Because of the work of grace in our lives, God has gifted us with a pure faith.  However, this pure faith can become covered, distorted, and even complicated. As attested in other verses in the short letter, this church had faced persecution from outside the church as well as false teachers from within that led many astray. Oftentimes, trials and inaccurate teachings cause us to lose sight of the simple, pure gospel truth. It is this sincere mind that Peter seeks to stir up in the church so that their pure faith may not succumb to trials or false teachings. He does this by reminding them of all the things that have come to understand in the Lord. Peter reminds them of God’s promises that they already know at the core of their faith, the place of sincere mind. 
Who speaks these reminders in your life? In times of trial and tribulation, how are you reminded of God’s truth? The reality is that whether through personal devotion and prayer, through a friend or mentor, through worship or through preaching, we serve a God that is constantly speaking and reminding you of His promises. The question is, are we listening? 
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You still speak to us. Whether through scripture, prayer, or perhaps a friend, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe that You speak to us. Give us a heart and ears that are open to be reminded of the incredible truths that You have spoken to us—truths that provide peace and direction in this crazy world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Mark 9

Lunch Break Study

Read John 14:25-27 (NIV): “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Questions to Consider

1. Take a moment to skim through the rest of this passage. What is the context of this passage?
2. What is one of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives? What is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
3. How can you avail yourself more to the reminding of the Holy Spirit throughout your life?

Notes

1. This passage falls in the middle of Jesus’ final night with the disciples. He is preparing a group of followers who still have not realized what is to come. But before He leaves them, He promises that though He is not going to be with them anymore, He will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
2. The primary function described in this passage is that the Holy Spirit will teach and bring to remembrance all that Jesus has spoken to us. The result of this is a kind of peace that the world cannot offer.
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

In what ways has God spoken to you today? Think back about the ways He spoke to you. What did He use? Who did He use? How did you notice these things? As you end your day, reflect upon these things; let us give thanks for the ways that God reminds us of His truth. Finish your time by praying for His grace to be sensitive and attentive to these reminders.

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 3, 2016.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Are You a Spiritual ‘One Man Gang’?”

Acts 1:1-2
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Eph. 4:11-12
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

Today spectator sports aren’t limited to watching ball games while sipping beer and munching on popcorn; now they can go to church every Sunday, to be entertained by one talented individual who can do it all: sing, dance and even preach! A while back, a professional wrestler, standing at 6 ft 9 in and weighing at 450 lb., called himself, “The One-Man Gang.”  While the moniker might fit for him, it’s unequivocally unbiblical for us!   That’s like saying, “The One-Man Church.”  Whether it’s a gang or church, no one single individual, however great he may be, should be its entire: it’s a recipe for an eventual defeat.  

Now listen to what Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (Jn. 17:4). How can Christ say he finished the work when his disciples, the very people whom he entrusted to spread the gospel, still acted like clowns? “Isn’t that too harsh of an assessment?” you might ask.  Well, you be the judge: several hours before the arrest of Jesus that same night, these men were still arguing over “which of them was considered to be the greatest” (Lk. 22:24).  

Then why was Jesus so confident about the work he had done despite the seemingly unimpressive result, which quickly got worse. Upon seeing Jesus arrested, “everyone deserted him and fled” (Mk. 14:52). Again, why was the Lord so confident? It’s because he knew his role and limitations while on earth. As far as preparing the apostles was concerned, Jesus knew that what he did for them—teaching God’s truth and then demonstrate it through actions, both miraculous and benevolent—was necessary but not sufficient. Christ knew that his men lacked the power to live out the truth in a radical and authentic manner. This is to say, inasmuch as Christ was great, he was never a ‘one-man’ church (Col. 1:18), for he had the Holy Spirit to come and be our counselor (Jn. 14:25) who empowers us (Acts 1:8).

The church should be no different: it is neither meant to be singularly led by a charismatic, dynamic person, nor simply to entertain a bunch of spectators. God appointed five distinctive ministerial offices for the sake of equipping the believers for works of service.   In light of this, one great task facing evangelical churches is transforming spiritual consumers and spectators into people who are committed to get into spiritual shape so that they can do some heavy lifting for God.  How about it?  That should be your goal for the rest of 2023.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I exalt your glorious name this morning.  How awesome it is to be called your child.  Lord, give me wisdom and know-hows to disciple someone so that that person can also produce good fruits for You.  Help me to leave behind something lasting before I die.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 8

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 5, 2016. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Are You Where You Are Supposed To Be?”
John 6:8-9,11 
“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ’Here is a boy with five small barley loves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ … Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

I am sure all of us have been delivered from trouble unexpectedly before. Maybe you forget your calculator for an exam but someone shows up with an extra one. Or maybe you are running late to the train station and a friend happens to drive by and gets you there speedily. Just as glad as you are that someone saved you, it’s likely that the other person is even happier to have been in the right place at the right time.
This boy here probably felt his good fortune. He just so happened to plan on listening to Jesus that day, he just so happened to be able to procure a little food beforehand, and he happened to be close enough to the disciples to show and give them the food, which was the fuel for a miracle before his eyes. When similar things happen to us, we often think of those events as happy coincidence. But the truth is that God, the director of our lives, has deliberately put us in places and situations to be used. What seems to miraculously come into place is actually the result of His exact and perfect planning. We are, by His will, always exactly where He wants us to be.
Do you really believe that you are exactly where He wants you to be? Do you sense purpose in the gifts you have received, the friendships He has given you, or even the path you walk from building to building each day? Or are you completely unaware that He might have a role for you to play in blessing others? God has planned all things carefully for His purposes; there are no accidents for where we are and what we will do. Let’s ask Him to help us see past the monotony of our schedules and to become more aware of His plans. Let us ask Him to show us the individual roles He has for us so that we can approach the coming week with clarity and renewed purpose.

Prayer: Father, thank You for ordaining all of my steps and my path. Even if I do not know where I am headed and what Your plans are for me, I trust that they are good. Help me to be sensitive to Your spirit and see the work that You are doing. Give me a heart that is available so that, on Your cue, I can be used by You whenever, wherever. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Mark 6-7

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on November 1, 2016.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Learning to Obey Through Suffering”

Hebrews 5:7-10

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Earlier last month, I found myself with a terrible flu. During those two weeks of suffering, I made my way into the drug store several times. At one time, I noticed a guy in line who also was buying some flu medicine, and for some reason, I found that to be strangely comforting. I guess misery loves company, but perhaps the greater reason is that we all have a need to be identified with. 
Today, the author of Hebrews asks, “How is it possible that Jesus sympathizes with us when He is perfect and we are sinful?” He wants us to clearly know that Jesus did not become a priest after He was resurrected and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Rather, Jesus was already a priest during His life on earth, for He offered up prayers and petitions as evident by what took place at the Garden of Gethsemane. 

The night before the cross, Jesus was in great agony as He contemplated whether He would go through with the cross or not. In the middle of His bewilderment, confusion and anguish of soul, He does an unfamiliar thing: For the first time He appeals to His own disciples for comfort. He asks them to stand with Him in prayer as He goes further into the darkness of the night. And on His own, He prays, begging, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” He was seeking another way. 

This then explains the extraordinary words of verse 8: “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Though He was the perfect Son of God, He learned what it meant to obey God when every cell in His body wanted to defy God. Yet, knowing this to be the will of God, He obeyed, trusting God to see Him through. He endured and overcame, even as everything in Him said to disobey. 

How was this possible? Jesus, in the end, trusted God the Father. He cast Himself upon the Father’s loving, tender care to sustain Him. No matter how difficult it was, He surrendered His agenda for His Father’s. In what area do you have to say, “Nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done”?

Prayer: God, thank You that Your temptation was not a mere act, but in Your temptation and suffering, You found the strength to obey the Father’s command. Thank You for sympathizing with our weaknesses and for giving us the ability to overcome every temptation we face. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 5

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 9:35-36: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Questions to Consider 
1. In verse 36, we are told that Jesus had compassion on the crowd when He saw them? What led Christ to have this compassion? 

2. Jesus states that there is a tremendous need out there in verse 37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” How does Jesus want us to respond to the needs of the harvest? 

3. What is the harvest God is calling you to today?     

Notes
1. He saw in the crowd as a people who were harassed and helpless, a sheep without a shepherd. 

2. In verse 38, we are told to pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest so that we might be sent out to the harvest.  

3. Personal. 

Evening Reflection

As you reflect on your busy day today, did you sense the Lord of the Harvest with you? If so, did you find yourself praying for the people who make up that harvest? 

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on August 3, 2016.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for Today

“Embracing Our Weakness”
John 7:3-5
But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach.15 The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” 16 So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

What are your greatest weaknesses? Really think about it – maybe make a list. What comes to mind – mistakes made, personality quirks, physical limitations, aspects of your upbringing, deficiencies in your skills or talents (the list goes on)? We all have perceived shortcomings, and most of us go to great lengths to hide, downplay, or overcome them. But in today’s passage, we’re reminded that what would have been considered a weakness for Jesus (lack of formal education/training would have definitely been perceived as a weakness for a teacher) proved to be the very thing that enabled God’s power to shine through. 
Author John Piper tells the following story about his own weakness:  “I read slowly — about as fast as I speak. Many people read five or ten times faster than I do. I tried for years to overcome this weakness, with special classes and books and techniques. After about two decades of bemoaning this weakness (from age 17 to 37 or so), I saw there would be no change. This is one reason I left college teaching and the academic life. I knew I could never be what scholars ought to be: widely read. What did it mean for me to identify and exploit this weakness? It meant first that I accept this as God’s design for my life. I will never read fast. It meant I stop complaining about it. It meant that I take my love for reading and do with it what I can for the glory of Christ. If I can only read slowly, I will do all I can to read deeply. I will exploit slowness. I will ask Jesus to show me more in reading little than many see in reading much. I will ask Jesus to magnify his power in making my slowness more fruitful than speed. In realizing I cannot read many books, I will pour my limited scope into reading one book better than any other — the Bible. If I must read fewer of many books, then I will read more carefully the greatest book.”
Today, may we embrace our weaknesses and allow God to glorify Himself through them. 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all the gifts and talents and opportunities You have given me. Help me choose today to leverage all I have to make You famous. Help me surrender my reputation and my opportunities to be known to You. Use all I am for Your glory. In Jesus’ name.    
Bible Reading for Today: Mark 4

Lunch Break Study

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Questions to Consider

1. Without Paul’s “thorn,” what was he in danger of doing? 
2. What do we learn in v. 8 about what we should do when we face areas of weakness or struggle? 
3. What was God’s response to Paul’s struggle, and how did Paul receive God’s response? How does this encourage you in the face of your own struggles and weaknesses today? 

Notes

1. Paul was in danger of exalting himself (v. 7), and having the thorn actually served as a barrier protecting him from that temptation.   
2. We should go to God! He is our help. 

It’s also important to note that Paul prayed fervently and many times concerning his situation—it was only after this that God responded. Many of us would have been embittered with God by the second appeal. And God didn’t respond by taking it away, but instead, He gave Paul wisdom and insight that he was able to pass along to us and that offered him a greater experiential knowledge of the grace of God. I find that very challenging – how about you? 

1. God responded by teaching Paul, through his weakness, to rely on the grace of God, and Paul learned experientially just how all-sufficient God’s grace is. Because of this, Paul responded with gladness – joyfully boasting in the area that had caused him such grief. 

Evening Reflection

Yesterday, we reflected on our tendency to leverage our resources (our strengths) for our own glory and fame and challenged ourselves to surrender them to God for the glory of His name. It requires a new depth of humility to take the extra step of exposing our weaknesses and allowing God’s glory to shine through them.  
Spend some time talking to God about the areas of weakness that came to mind this morning. What are some ways God has been able to shine through those weaknesses? Give God thanks. Are there areas of weakness that you still need to surrender? Offer them to God to be used for His glory. Ask for strength to embrace (and even boast in) your weaknesses, as you trust in Him. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT devotional, first posted on August 24, 2016, is provided by Joanna Tzen who previously attended and served Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. Joanna is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Is He Safe?”

John 6: 66-7

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

The first time I read the Chronicles of Narnia was right after I graduated from college. I never thought to read it before because the fantasy genre was not of much interest to me. However, after I became a Christian in college and while job-searching, I figured that reading the Chronicles of Narnia was a good use of time. The passage above reminds me this quote from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Is he (Aslan) – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr. Beaver … “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

As the disciples found out, Jesus is anything but safe, but He is good. After Jesus shares that He is the Bread of Life and He talks of people eating His flesh and drinking His blood (through Communion, even though people took the literal meaning), people who had followed Him across the lake began to turn away. Jesus talked about His death in such stark terms so as to reveal the hearts of the people who desired their comforts through an earthly kingship—they did not want the true King. 

Jesus was not the kind of savior they were looking for. They were looking for a worldly savior who could deliver them from Roman oppression. But Jesus was talking about dying, and surely that was not part of the plan for worldly savior and conquering king. Jesus simply did not fit their mold. 

However, His disciples saw someone different. Even though they had only followed Him a short while at the time of the feeding of the 5,000, they knew they had seen the one true God incarnate on earth. They were not looking for what they wanted, or what was safe, but they were seeking the truth—and they found Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I desire to enthrone Jesus as the true King of my heart. I know He is anything but safe, but He is good because He is Your Son. Even when I am fearful, remind me that I can trust in Your promises. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 3

Lunch Break Study 

Read Luke 12:13-5: Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Matt. 19:20-22: And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? . . . . 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Questions to Consider

1. As we have learned this morning, people come to Jesus for different reasons. Regarding the man in the crowd who made a request to Jesus, did he want Jesus or something else?

2. What motivated the man in the Matthew passage to come to Jesus?

3. Based on how you actually live, why do you think you seek Jesus?

Notes

1. The man in the crowd wanted what Jesus could do for him so that he might gain financial freedom; he didn’t necessarily want Jesus himself.

2. The rich young man wanted Jesus as his Savior but not as his Lord who has the governance over his life.    

3. Personal response: Give it a serious thought.

Evening Reflection

In light of our devotional and study theme for today, let us do according what the Psalmist writes in Ps. 139:1-2: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.”  Reflect on that passage for a minute, and then respond back to God.