Author: BJ Armstrong

A Kingdom Divided Will Fall

In today’s story, we see the Pharisees create a diversion. They want to generate doubt. Up to this point in history, they controlled the miracles. They talked directly to God. They had all the power. But, Jesus gets in the way of that. He was drawing attention to himself by doing things that nobody else could do. Feeling their power slip away, they had to do something.
“He gets his power from Satan,” they said in an attempt to discredit Jesus.  Others taunted him to perform another miracle.
Jesus masterfully puts them in their place. They never stood a chance.
As I review this story, I marvel at the audacity of the Pharisees. How could they call out Jesus like that? They were supposed to be his biggest fans! Problem is, Jesus got inconvenient.  Guess what?  Jesus will become inconvenient for you too.
Larry Osborne describes this potential best. In his book Accidental Pharisees, He writes “In the same way, we can wax eloquent about Jesus and the Scriptures. We can praise him. Sing to him. Speak out in his defense. Yet when he shows up in ways that we don’t expect, that we don’t agree with, or that make us uncomfortable, we can fight him tooth and nail.”
Osborne, Larry. Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith (p. 27). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

6 Ways To Motivate People

Joshua was a great leader.  One reason for his success was his ability to motivate people.  Let’s take a look back through Joshua 23 and 24 to identify the ways that he motivated people.
Visionary Motivation – Joshua 1:10-15
As Joshua commands his men to cross the river and take the Promised Land, he reminds them of whats in store for them.
Structural Motivation – Joshua 23:2
Joshua knew that true leadership required the collaboration of his whole team.  We too have people around us, and above us that we need to summon.
Historical Motivation – Joshua 24:2-13
Joshua gave a brief recap of God’s past faithfulness.  This is a good reminder that if God was faithful then, he will be again.  We can count on him.  How often do we go back and recount where God has been faithful in our lives?  Remember what God has done, and share it!
Moral Motivation – Joshua 24:14-15
Joshua is calling on high standards for living.  We want to live lives with high integrity and we want to surround ourselves with others that will do the same.  But, we must choose.  I like the way Joshua emphasizes his own choice.  “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
Negative Motivation – Joshua 24:19-22
Have you ever been motivated by someone telling you that you cannot achieve it?  That tactic often makes us want to do something just to prove them wrong.  Joshua uses it too.  “You are not able to serve the Lord” he says.  Of course, it worked.  The Israelite’s response was “…but we will!”
Symbolic Motivation – Joshua 24:25-27
We are motivated by reminders. Seeing a symbol – like a cross – quickly prompts us to do the right thing.  Think too of the WWJD bracelets.  Joshua did it with a large stone set near the sanctuary of the Lord.  He set it to be a reminder of the covenant that the people made with the Lord.
How did all of this work for Joshua? According to verse 31, “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel.”

That’s Ridiculous!

The battle of Jericho is one of the most ridiculous stories in the Bible. You see, God called on Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land. But, to take possession of it, they must first conquer Jericho. This was no easy task. Jericho was fortified with stone walls. At this time, the city was shut. None went in, and none went out (v2). Surely Joshua understood the problem. How could he take a city that he couldn’t even get into? Of course, God provided a way.
The way, according to Joshua 6 was for the army to march around the city on time, every day for six days. Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around seven times followed by a blast of the priest’s trumpets and a great shout from all the people. Once complete, God tells Joshua, the walls will fall flat (v5). Problem solved.
Is that weird? Why would God ask them to do such a ridiculous thing? I’ve come up with two answers; faith and obedience. Consider first faith. We have to assume that Joshua exhausted all of his options as any good leader would. He knew that the strength of his army could not overcome the walls. At some point, he gave up reliance on his own wisdom and strength. Faith was all he had left. If this was going to happen, he must rely on God’s promise. Second, comes obedience. He must have felt silly after walking around the city on the first day, let alone the 6th day! To make it tougher, his mighty men would have provided plenty of ridicule. One of the toughest things a leader faces is an interrogation from their own team. Yet, Joshua persisted, allowing his faith to drive his actions.
What obstacles are you facing, right now? Perhaps the solution is as ridiculous as Joshua’s seemed. Perhaps God is asking you to let go, to lay down your weapons and rely on his strength and power. This can only happen when we give up our own agendas and willfulness.  We are being called to submit to his perfect plan. Even if it seems ridiculous.

Freely Taken

Whoa, whoa, whoa?! Who do you think you are? Do you really think that you deserve this? Do you really think that the Lord is so impressed with your righteousness that he is blessing you with all of these things? No! No! No! says Moses. You’ve got it all wrong. You are not here because of the great things you have done, but because of the more horrible things that those other people did. Ouch!
These seem like harsh words from Moses. But, clearly, they are not. He explains by describing, in detail, how they have assaulted the glory of the Lord. Remember the golden calf you made? He asks. Wait, how about when you spied out the land of Kadesh? Remember, you said it was “flowing with milk and honey?” (Numbers 13:27). But, when the Lord asked you to go in and take it, you refused. You became afraid and did not trust in the Lord. Have you forgotten these things? Do you still think you deserve this?
The answer is no, the Israelites did not deserve to enter the promised land. That right was purchased for them. Moses has to remind them. He explains to them “you would do well to know what I did on your behalf. The sacrifices I made and my humble pleadings to God that he would not look at you with anger, but with love. This is why you are here. You have not gotten what you deserve. Instead, you have gotten a wonderful gift.” (Deuteronomy 9:18, my paraphrase)
We too live in the land of milk and honey. It is far too easy to believe that we deserve it all. Our freedom, our cars, our jobs, our houses, our family, our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To top it off, we enjoy a gift called salvation. It’s free for the taking. Or is it?  Just like the Israelites, our freedom was purchased. This time, the ultimate price was paid with the life and blood of Jesus Christ.    So no, this gift is not free for the taking.  It requires something of us.  It starts with gratitude and ends in worship.

In Awe

Last week, while visiting New York City, I walked through St Patricks Cathedral.  It is everything you expect.  The building is massively overwhelming and overwhelmingly intricate.  The cathedral’s cruciform shape has an altar prominently positioned in the nave and raised in the direction of heaven.  The altar is enshrined in gold and surrounded by angels.  Throughout the building, you’ll see the saints hosting various shrines, imagery, and relics of heavenly trophies.  It’s amazing.  Awesome, even.  All of it.
I stood at the entrance gazing down the long hall, wondering how many people think about Jesus.  More importantly, how many people considered the sacrifice he made?  How many people came and found God?  That is the risk, of course, that we may go and find awe but miss what really matters.  The hope and solace of Jesus Christ.  This is what Moses is warning us against today.  He knows that we are likely to take these most beautiful things like gold and saints and fantastic architecture and turn them into something they are not.  Beware, he says, “that you may be drawn to them and serve them” (Deut 4:19).  Do you see it?  We are likely to bow down and serve the created thing over the creator.  it’s easier.  It’s tangible.  It feels real.  But, the created things have no power.
Dig a little deeper and review the mission statement of the St. Patricks Cathedral.  There, it says that these things – this cathedral – are brought to us for one purpose.  That it may “call us to respond to our shared humanity – one in the image and likeness of God, saved by his Son, Jesus Christ, in the family of the Church”.

Faith, Or Something Else?

Matthew 15:21-28

We call God many things like provider, teacher, healer, savior, and father.  The list is long, please add some that matter to you.  Now, consider how each of these things manifests in your life.  For example.  I see Jesus as my teacher.  I know that to be true because he has taught me.  It’s evident in his words, his people, and in my heart.  I have evidence.  What if, God stopped teaching me?  How would I respond?  Honestly?  I don’t know.  But, I do know how I would like to respond.  We see it in the Canaanite woman from today’s reading.
“Hey Jesus,” she shouts.  “I need your help.  My daughter is in trouble.”
Silence.  Jesus does not even bother himself with her.
As Jesus bickers with the disciples, the woman came before him again.  This time, she was kneeling.
At first glance, we may consider her kneeling to be begging.  That would be a mistake.  Jesus would have quickly called her out on that, saying something like “woman, get up!”  Instead, Jesus exclaims the greatness of her faith.  She captures Jesus’ attention, not through the quality of her begging but the depth of her belief in who Jesus is.  In this context, her kneeling is an act of worship.  She falls to her knees because of who she knows Jesus, rather than what he can do for her.  She knew, in the very depth of her heart, that Jesus could not walk away from her daughter.  It’s not in his nature. That’s faith.
Just like the Canaanite woman, God will never stop teaching me as long as I am searching.  Nor will he stop providing, healing saving, or loving.  He cannot.  It’s who he is.  It sounds like it’s time to start worshipping and stop begging.

Just As You Are Doing

1 Thessalonians 4

I tend to read scripture with a critical voice.  The Bible is written for instruction and correction, I think.  When I heed these words, I become closer to Christ, righteous, and worthy – right?  Sort of.  This is not entirely true.  Once in a while, it is worth reflecting on what is going right.  In fact, if you are a Christ-follower, you are honoring God.

Paul subtly reminds us of this today in 1 Thessalonians 4:1.  He says that the words that we have taken and brought into our lives have shaped the things that we do – the way we walk.  These things, he adds, are honoring to God.  As I sit and reflect on that, my body takes on a new posture.  It mimics a man of pride and joy.  I feel worthy.  Maybe you feel that too?

I know that these strange and great feelings are not a result of my great works.  No, they are the result of His great work.  Specifically, his work on the cross rids me of sin.  His work in the grave allows my old self to pass away.  Yes, and His work in ascension brings me new life.  Life that can never be taken away.  These are the words worth remembering.  These are the things that we should “keep doing.”

Called

Philippians 1

Few things stir my heart more than the concept of calling. Why? Well…if I am honest, the answer is self-incriminating. When I think of a calling, I consider what my life is about. What is the significance of my time here on earth and what is my contribution to the world? Now, these are not bad questions to answer, but we need to be careful with the answer. Here’s why.  I see two options. One is to answer them according to the American dream, the second is according to the faith I have professed in Jesus Christ.

When I answer my calling with respect to the American Dream, I begin to think about all sorts of possibilities. I think of people like Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller.   They are stand-outs among the fabricators and heroes of the American Dream. Their motto; anything is possible and everything is probable. Heck, I could even be President! It just requires persistence and hard work. Our dreams are within reach. So, how do I define my calling as an American? Unfortunately, much of my life has been marked by the shallow and self-serving answer of “success.”

The narrative changes, however, when we choose to follow Jesus. In Philippians 1:27, Paul reminds us to “let our lives be worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” In this simple statement, Paul clarifies that Jesus’ calling is not my own. Instead, Paul exhorts me to live the life to which God is calling me to.  Paul is talking about the life that God created us for.  What is the difference between these two lives? A handful of verses bring me clarity.

[Serve] the Lord with all humility and with tears (Acts 20:19 ESV)

 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3 ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)

have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)

As I read through these verses, there is one word that appears and repeats in my head, tying them all together. It is the thing missing from my narrative. It is replaced with turmoil in our daily lives, as we chase the American dream. It is why Jesus died for us. It has eternal significance and, it will ensure our joy-filled life. What is it?  What does Jesus call us to? LOVE.

The Stewardship of God’s Grace

There are many things we are called to be good stewards of.  Time and money are the obvious ones.  Maybe you think about health or, gifts and talents. Good stewards of any of these are easily spotted.  You might even be able to identify what makes them a good steward. Today, in Ephesians 3, Paul suggests grace as an additional item to steward.

Each of the items I mentioned has significant value.  To maintain it, they require care. Vigilance even.  This is particularly true for grace.  Why?  Because we will always choose strength over grace.  To harsh?  Consider Peter.  He was sure that his strength of faith was enough to keep him clean.  He believed that right up until he heard the rooster crow (Mark 14:72).  Suddenly, he understood his greater need for grace.

There is a significant contrast between Peter and Paul.  First, Paul had a keen awareness of his weakness.  He testifies, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me (Romans 7:21-23).  This confession allows Paul to understand that there is no way out of sin.  Instead, he must have a way through it.  So do we.

Grace offers us a way through it.  It comes, fully and freely, upon our remembrance of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice.  Paul says it well in Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Our Hope Is Real

Psalm 31

In this Psalm, we hear David remembering  God’s grace and generosity.  He’s been through some pretty tough circumstances and withstood some really bad choices.  In his reflection, David generates hope for the future.  Not because of a promise that was made – although it was – but because of God’s action.  God has proven himself over and over again.  Even though David was undeserving. 

David’s reflection of God’s greatness also gives him hope for tomorrow.  This hope is so real, and he is so connected to its source that his deepest desire is that everyone should experience it.  You see this clearly in verse 23.  David is passing along the blessing to us with instruction.  He has fully become the hope that’s been given.

These words are the promise of God.  It is our faithfulness that enables God to make them a reality

 Love God, all you saints;
God takes care of all who stay close to him,
But he pays back in full
those arrogant enough to go it alone.
Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Expect God to get here soon. Psalms 31:23-24 (MSG)