Author: BJ Armstrong

Be careful what you pray for.  Have you ever heard that warning?  It’s often followed up with the phrase, “because you might get it.”  But, that’s not all of the story.  Far too often we pray for God’s intervention, his help, and his guidance only to reject the answer.  Consider today’s reading of Jeremiah 42.

You recall that our reading has been covering the invasion, and now occupation of, Israel by the Babylonians.  Well, in chapter 41, a man named Ishmael and 10 of his buddies went to see their Babylonian governor.  During dinner, the men jumped up and killed him.  Now, this seems like the kind of thing you do when your city has been seized by the enemy, but it still comes with consequences.  Specifically, someone is going to come looking for you.  Ismael and his buddies got scared.  Real scared!

Have you ever been so scared that you started to pray?  That’s exactly what they did.  In fact, they went to Jeremiah, the prophet, and asked him to pray for them.  They were specific too.  They asked God to “show them what to do and where to go” (v3).

Of course, God answered.  That’s what God does.  He always answers us, we just are not always listening. Or, at least not openly listening.  In this case, God’s answers were empowering.  He said “stay here” (v10), “do not fear the king of Babylon” (v11), and “I will be merciful” (v12).  It’s the perfect answer!

God is promising to return them to their land.  He is offering them peace and freedom.  But, if you read on through chapter 43, you will see that they reject it.  Instead of staying, they flee to Egypt!  Why? Why? Why?

The answer seems so easy as I sit here and read the story.  But in my heart, I know that it is not.  We all fall victim to this scenario.  We pray for the answer, but when we get it, we do what we want anyway.  Not because we think our way is better, we know that it’s not.  It’s just easier.  Sadly, it also perpetuates our pain and suffering.

So now, be careful what you pray for.  Better to know this before you start asking.  God will answer your prayer.  And, his answer will require that you become someone bigger and better than you are today.  It will take courage, surrender, and faith.  If that’s not what you want, maybe you should consider not asking.

1 Kings 3:1-17

I’m always on the lookout for a good book about leadership.  It supports my goal to become a better leader.  According to today’s scripture, I am chasing the wrong goal.  What if, instead of trying to be a better leader, I wanted to become a better person?  What would I look for?  Probably books about character, integrity, and love.  These traits are not skill-based, yet they are still developed but they don’t point to the mind.  They come from your heart.

King Solomon knew this.  In fact, he worked first to develop his heart.  We see that in verse 6.  Solomon went to the “bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.”  This is where Solomon’s wish originates from.  A pure, worshipful heart.

Today, I’d like to ask God for better things.  I’m starting with “today, how will I fill my heart so that it overflows with the love of God?”

 

Psalm 79

The closest I’ve come to experiencing war is in front of the TV.  I remember it vividly.  The sky over Baghdad lit up like a Christmas tree.  The images and potential escalation of the war in Iraq gave everyone anxiety.  So, we carried with us the burden of war.  But this is different than living a war.  I still went to class.  I still drank coffee and did my laundry.  I even ate three or more meals per day.  Since then, there have been other conflicts, like Afghanistan.  Guess what?  My life didn’t change for that either.  That’s how I know war.

What if it were different?  How would you feel if enemy tanks had just crossed our border?  What would happen if missiles were rocketing overhead in search of a target nearby? Yes, my life would change and so would my conversation with God.

I would turn quickly from “thank you for protecting us,” to “what are you doing?!” I would question how God could allow an invasion from such vile people.  In today’s reading of Psalm. 79, the author is describing the Babylonian’s invasion of Jerusalem.  Here, the Babylonians, the most pagan, vile culture to ever live overtook God’s country.  Remember, Jerusalem was the Promised Land.  It was given to the Jewish people, by God himself so that they could live in harmony with him, forever.

Notice that the Psalmist quickly turns from “oh, no!” to “save us.”  Getting there requires that we remember God is God.  He knows all of this.  He controls all of this.  He can “make himself known and avenge the outpoured blood of his servants” (v10).  The Psalmist pleads with God for his intervention. More importantly, the Psalmist is faithful that God will come to their rescue.

As I write today, Ukraine fills my heart.  I cannot help but see it parallel to this story. Would you join me in praying this Psalm for Ukraine?  Take a moment to re-read the Psalm and replace the word Jerusalem with Ukraine.

Luke 18:18-30

Am I the only one that gets a little anxious when reading Luke 18:18-30? There is something about verse 23 that scares the snot out of me. As I ponder the reasons why that may be the case, I am confronted with a stark reality.

In reality, I am just like the rich young ruler (I’m speaking more about my heart than my bank account). That is to say that when God asks me to give something up in order to better serve him, I leave in sorrow, just as the rich young ruler did. Sometimes, I just don’t want to give up what I want!  It doesn’t matter what you call it; ambition, wealth, money, possessions, or fortune. At the end of the day, these things entangle our hearts. In this case, the rich young ruler chooses death. I really do not want to choose the same!

So what are we to do? Is there no hope? Are we doomed to live as slaves to our passions and ambitions, replaying this scenario over and over again? Thankfully, the disciples were onto this same question. It appears that they are just as freaked out as I am when they ask, “in astonishment, who can be saved?” (v26). I can hear the desperation in the question. They sense the impending doom. Thankfully, Jesus settles it with his gentle reminder, “with man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”   When we focus on him, nothing else matters.

Father, remember us as you have remembered those before us. Even though we turn away and forsake your goodness, you are great in mercies.   You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. (Nehemiah 9:31 ESV)

John 3:22-36

What do you do when you are faced with competition?  First, you grumble and complain about the other party.  Then, you strategize and determine the activities you need to engage to ensure the win.  That’s where most of us stop.  We relish in the victory and move on to our next conquest.

This was not true, however, for John the Baptist.  He knew a better way.  He pursued a better victory. He lived for God’s glory.  What does that really mean?  The best answer is found in John 3:30.  It says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  In other words, John the Baptist had no desire to become someone or something.  Instead, he used his thoughts, talents, deeds, relationships so that Jesus could become everything.

What would change in your life if your goal was to glorify God?   when glorification becomes my chief aim, my activities change.  Not just my activities, but also my goals.  My words change, my conversations are different, and my general attitude is adjusted.  Frustration is irrelevant because God can be glorified in all things, at all times, no matter what.  Failure is simply not possible.

So, how do we do it?  Just like John the Baptist with a simple choice that says “I must decrease so that he can increase.”

Luke 4:1-15

What is your relationship with grace?  For many believers, grace is the only reason we are here.  Here’s the process, “I screwed up, I asked God to forgive me and now I can get into heaven.  Thank God!”  If that sounds hollow to you, I want you to know that I agree.  In fact, as I reflect on my own life, I can see more places where I rely on God’s grace than I do his strength.  Is that OK?

When I think of God’s strength, I think of it as divine intervention.  This was true in college when I didn’t study for the test.  I’d say a quick prayer for intervention, asking for him to guide my pen and to give me the wisdom to write down the right answers.  Funny, I don’t recall a single time that it worked.  Why not?  Because that is not how God typically delivers his strength.  If we want to be spiritually tough, we have to develop it.  Just like a muscle.

Athletes know how to develop muscles.  At the basic level, it’s consistent training.  What if you want to be an Olympic athlete?  I think we all have an idea of the training and commitment it takes to compete at this level.  There is one thing we can be 100% certain of.  Not even one of this year’s Olympic athletes decided not to train.  In other words, they did not rely on luck or the natural talent that they were born with.  Instead, they trained with all of their heart in order to build confidence and endurance with the intention of victory.  This works for our spiritual fitness too.

I don’t know of a better example of spiritual confidence, endurance and victory than Luke 4:1-15.  You know the story.  Jesus has been in the wilderness for 40 days.  He’s hungry.  He’s tired.  He’s been continually harassed by the Devil.  This is where it gets interesting.  Jesus does not ask for relief like I would.  In fact, he shows no sign of weakness.  There is no indication of breakdown.  Instead, he is confident in what he believes.   Jesus skillfully deflects the devil’s temptation with memorized scripture (v4).  But it does not end there.  Jesus’ training is proven again in verse 8 when he successfully navigates the devil’s false promise, being confident in the better possession that God had already promised.

There is victory at the end of this story.  No, it did not come from a lightning bolt or a clap of thunder.  It came from Jesus’ spiritual toughness.  He was a spiritual Olympian.  His hard-fought victory came from his spiritual strength.  He trained for this.  In fact, it’s in his training and preparation that I see the miracle.

Don’t get me wrong, I am still in need of grace.  This grace lives in God’s charge and promises that he will never leave us, nor will he forsake us

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

1 John 4

Do you have a rival?  A nemesis?  Someone that always gets under your skin?  A person that elevates your blood pressure when they walk in the room?  Rivalries are nothing new.  You may remember a few famous ones.  How about the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s?  Or, Hamilton and Burr?  Maybe Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan are more in your era.  Perhaps it’s Apple vs Microsoft, or Nike and Adidas?

Think more about rivalries.  Are they good, or are they bad?  It’s funny, I’ve been taught both.  Clearly, rivalries that end in death like Alexander Hamilton or injury like Nancy Kerrigan are horrible.  But what about Apple and Microsoft?  Common wisdom suggests that rivalries are good things.  That this rival person or organization will drive us to greater achievement when we channel the competitive energy.

OK, I see the logic in that.  But, there is a problem.  Who’s side is God on?  I mean, if God is for us – each of us – how does he choose between Alexander Hamilton or Aaron Burr?  Who should win?

To answer that question, we need more direction.  It is no mistake that 1 John 4 has one major theme: Love.  Think about it.  What happened when Jesus’ rivals challenged him?  How did he respond?  He loved them.   You remember their response.  They hated him more.  In turn, he loved them more deeply.

This is the crazy part.  Seriously, think about someone who hates you.  It makes no sense to love them back.  None!  Unless, of course, you have the heart of Jesus.  You see, Jesus did not love them back for who they are, but for who they might become.  He knew that giving his love would open up the possibility – no matter how unlikely – that they would also find love in their hearts.  That they would live.  For Jesus, that is all that mattered.  He loved them so deeply, in fact, that he gave up everything he had – his very life – so that they might live (1 John 4:10).

So, what am I to do with my rivalries?  Love them.  Unconditionally.  Lay down my sword and take up my cross so that they too might live wholly, and holy.

John 11

Why is our culture is so enamored with zombies?  Our TVs and iPads are filled with images of them creeping and slinking their way to our front door.  This reality has an influence on the way that I interpret scripture.  It became clear to me as I read about Lazarus today in John 11. As you know, in this passage, Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead.   How do you interpret that?  For me, Lazarus is undead.  Just like a zombie.

In John 11:43, we learn about Lazarus walking out of the tomb, still wrapped in burial cloths.  We hear Jesus instructing Martha and her sister, to “unbind him, and let him go.”  Do you hear zombie?  I do.  My full picture of Lazarus is less than human.  I imagine him pale and sickly, weakened by death.  A shadow of his old life.  He probably staggers as he walks and talks with a slur.  This, after all, is what zombies do.  But, I reason, since Jesus was involved, Lazarus was a good zombie. So, what does a good zombie do?  He follows Jesus around like a puppy dog, catering to his every whim and enjoying the scraps from his table.  Can’t you just hear Jesus, his owner, as they walk down a crowded street?  “Lazarus, come on, what are you sniffing at back there?!”

I hope you hear my sarcasm.   None of that is true of Lazarus.  How do I know?  There are two ways.  First, we know that Jesus does not give life half-heartedly.  He gives it to the “full” (John 10:10).   Second Lazarus’ actions prove that he is not undead, but fully living.  Looking forward into John 12, Lazarus was out, among the people, presenting himself in a way that was irresistible.  I picture him bounding through the streets, singing, dancing, and rejoicing.  Filled with life!  How do we know that?  Because “many people came to Jesus because of him” (John 12:11).  Now, would these people have been attracted to a zombie?  Of course not.  People are not attracted to the undead, they want to be like the living.

What about us?  Unfortunately, too many of us are living the “Christian life.”   We are shadows of our former selves, unable to have fun, take risks, and engage the world.  Jesus has become our ticket to heaven, our get-out-of-jail-free card.  That is not living.  It is undead.  Yes, Jesus invites us to die, just like Lazarus, but remember that his invitation is not focused on death.  It is about re-birth.  Done faithfully, Jesus transforms us into His glory, His likeness.  Irresistible.  Just like Lazarus.

 

John 12:20-36

“Now, my soul is troubled” (Luke 22:27).  This is what Jesus says when confronted with the reality of his life.  The time had come.  The words seem benign as I read them, but they were not.  A troubled soul is filled with turmoil.  Fear, anxiety, even anger fill your body.  It shows physically.  Your heart rate elevates, perspiration is visible, and your body shakes.  In this, most extreme case, Jesus sweat blood! (Luke 22:44).  In this moment, Jesus had two options.  Save himself or glorify God.

You already know what Jesus’ choice was.  The real question is what will your choice be when your soul is troubled?  One option is to tell God, “save me.”  This way, I don’t have to endure the pain.  I can shrink to my comfortable existence, relaxing on the couch watching Netflix.

Make no mistake, God will give you what you ask for.

Instead, what happens if we tell God, “Father, glorify your name?”  (John 12;28).  It’s interesting when I think about it.  That simple phrase releases all the tension.  Not because the situation suddenly resolves, but because it now has a purpose.  A purpose that supersedes my selfish desire and builds up all of mankind.  A purpose that usurps my comfort and expands God’s love.

Make no mistake, God will give you what you ask for.

Luke 8:40-56

Our culture celebrates intensity.  It’s a description of having great energy, strength, and concentration.  Most of the time, I pride myself on being intense.  That’s true at work and in the pool.  To win in either of those environments, intensity is required.  It keeps me from being distracted and allows me to achieve my goals.  At least, that’s what I thought.

Not long ago, I was confronted by a co-worker.  She pulled me aside and asked, “Is everything ok?”  “yes,” I responded. “I am doing great.  Why do you ask?”  “you just don’t seem like yourself lately.”

What happened? I was trying to focus.  I saw my big goal slipping away and the year was almost over.  I dove headlong into intensity.

Today, we have an opportunity to compare my story to Jesus.   In Luke 8:40-56,  Jesus is approached by a man named Jairus.  His daughter is dying.  Hearing this, Jesus agreed to go home with him and heal his daughter.  Now, don’t forget, this girl is dying.  This is an emergency!  Call the ambulance, clear the way and get there fast!  This requires intensity.

As Jesus and Jairus head off to save the girl, Jesus gets hung up.  Not because someone is holding him back, but because he wants to find someone?  Seriously, Jesus halts all forward progress saying, “who touched me” (v45).  At that moment, she is the only thing that matters.  Everything else can wait.  Even a dying daughter.

My first impulse is to think that Jesus stopped to heal the woman, but he did not.  She was already healed.  Verse 44 makes it clear that her healing was immediate.  So, what gives?   If the woman was already healed, wasn’t his work with her already done?  Why would Jesus break his focus here?  He didn’t.  His focus was and will always be the same.

I falsely assumed that Jesus’ goal was to get things done.  That is wrong.  Jesus doesn’t care about what gets done.  He cares about life.  That means that he would never let someone go unnoticed and unloved.

I wonder what the world will look like when change our goals to be like Jesus.  What will happen when we decide to see others?  What will their world become when we choose to stop and love them?  It’s time to stop and see.