Author: BJ Armstrong

Luke 24

I am an external processor.  What does that mean?  It means I like to talk.  Well, that’s part of it.  You see I like to talk about thoughts and ideas that I have not fully formulated.  As I do, I gain clarity find direction.  There is another benefit.  I also get to hear your thoughts.  Sometimes, I find that my direction is completely off and the conversation reels me back in.  No matter the outcome, I am always encouraged and emboldened by the people that are willing to engage in these conversations.

Today, in Luke 23, we see the disciples engaging in a similar conversation.  They are recounting the last couple of days up to and including Jesus’ death.  It’s a grim conversation, to be sure.  Even so, the conversation helps them process.  Through it, they will gain clarity about how it happened and what is next.

Follow the story now as a curious stranger joins the conversation.  I can picture the disciples getting all worked up at this man’s ignorance.  No, they are not annoyed, they are provoked.  “What things?”  That is all the man asked, but it is enough.  They spend the next several minutes telling, in detail, the events of the last few days and how they unfolded.  It would be like telling someone about last night’s game.  Whether your team won or lost, the story is filled with passion and emotion.

Of course, for the disciples on this walk, hope was lost.  They are filled with sadness.  They are filled with defeat.  Jesus knew that and he was disappointed.  How many times had he told them?  How many times had he forecast his own death?  How many times had he shared that these events would bring boundless joy?  Until at once, he couldn’t hold back any longer.  “You foolish people,” he cries! (verse 25).

While the rebuke was stern, it was necessary.  Now with their attention, the curious stranger was able to reel in the conversation.  He reminds them of the prophets, the predictions and the scriptures that point to the Messiah.  He reminds them of the suffering that would occur and also of the ensuing glory.

Now, we know how the story ends.  We know that soon after this walk, Jesus would reveal himself.  But, before then, as they shared with each other, their hearts were warmed.  More than that, their hearts burned (v32).  This is different than the sadness and defeat they experienced just moments before.  Don’t you feel their excitement, exuberance even?  That’s what I want!  Don’t you?

As I reflect upon how they went from sadness to exuberance, one thing is clear.  Jesus.  It was not his presence, though, it was his story.  You see, the disciples found life in recounting the events.  Then, they experienced true joy when Jesus connected the events to hope.  Don’t you know that he does the exact same thing for us?  We would do well to talk out the gospel message the same way more often.

Luke 11

If you grew up around the church, you learned the Lord’s prayer.  Not only did we recite it in every service, but it was also a song.  Now, the good part about that is I know it by heart.  So do you.  The only time I get in trouble is when I go to a different church.  I never know if they have trespasses or debts.  It gets me every time!

Did you know that’s what happens when you memorize like that?  I get so worried about which “right” word to use that I forget all about what the words actually mean.  In Luke 11, I think Jesus is far less concerned about the actual words and far more worried about what they mean.  Let’s slow down for a moment, and consider how this perfect prayer is constructed.

Father, Hallowed be your name

This first line is about who God is.  First, he is our Father.  Thinking deeper into that, we know that he is our creator.  In fact, he is not just my creator, but the creator of the universe.  He is the Father of all things.

Now, Father is a common name for us but God, our Father, is anything but common.  That is why we use the specialest of all special words Hallowed.  To be hallowed is to be truly set apart.  Yes, it is about being revered and honored, but it is more.  It carries with it holiness and consecrated.  Perfection in one word.  I think it is fitting.  It is only God that gets this title.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done

This is a statement of hope and our deepest desire.  It asks him to bring the perfect righteousness of his kingdom, right here, right now.  To make such a request requires humility and surrender.  You see, when we ask for God’s kingdom to come, we are confessing that it is better than our own.  Additionally, we are asking that His will reigns supreme over us.  That means that my kingdom and my wants are not just secondary to his, they are irrelevant to his.

Give us each day, our daily bread

A simple request for provision.  I need to be reminded that it is a request, one day at a time.  It’s not about provision for the year, or for retirement, just today.  Then, of course, it’s bread.  Why not steak?  I mean, if you are going to ask, then go big, right?  This simple request leaves the provision up to God.  If he wants to give you more, he can.  We, however, will be content today, with the simplest of God’s provision.

And forgive us our sins

This line puts us squarely in the jaws of grace.  It is a reminder that we are less than perfect.  We have fallen well short of God’s expectations.  It is also our confession that we do no measure up and have no means of payment.

For we forgive everyone who is indebted to us

Fittingly, this falls after our request for forgiveness.  For me, it is a fitting reminder that if I am to receive God’s grace, I must also extend grace to those around me.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

This last line acknowledges our humanity.  We know that in the moment, we will make poor choices.  We also know that God is a great protector.  He can, and in fact, promises to deliver us when temptation and evil show up (1 Corinthians 10:13).

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever

Sorry, that line doesn’t exist in the Bible.  I don’t know when or who added it but it is a fitting and dramatic ending for the song, leaving my heart right where it needs to be with God at the center.

Mark 15

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  Those were the last words of Jesus. At that moment, he was alone.  He could feel it in his soul.  It was empty and hollow.  The pain was too much to bear.  The physical torture had taken its toll, not to mention the mental anguish.  Just yesterday, his best friends betrayed him.  Not only did they hand him over, but they also denied knowing him.  Even the political system didn’t go in his favor.  Pilate took the simple and self-serving route.  He could have set him free.  He didn’t.  No help.  No people, no angels, no God.

Maybe you have been there?  The circumstances of life have stacked against you and they just keep coming.  Perhaps your friends have betrayed you, just like Jesus.  Maybe it’s illness or financial pressure that keeps you from living a joy-filled life.  It could be death.  For many, it’s more than one at the same time.   That is when we cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Do those words signal the end of our faith?  Are they the suggestion that we have found such ongoing despair that we no longer believe God is good?  Maybe not.  According to John Calvin, these are words of strong faith.  It is only the faithful, in fact, that are able to question God in this manner.  It stems from the foundation of promises that God made to us.  We cry out because we know them to be true.  We want them to be true, we need them to be true.  They are true.

Today, we know that Jesus’ death was temporary (1 Corinthians 15:4).  We know that He now sits at the right hand of God (acts 7:55).  Because of this, we also know that God’s delay was temporary.  It was perfect.  Just enough that Christ would facilitate our redemption.  Today, it is this redemption that we build our lives upon.  While it may not relieve us from the troubles of this world, it does assure that we can have peace, hope, and love, today, forever, and always.

Mark 10,11

Several years ago, the state of Illinois changed the title printed on real estate licenses.  Way back when I earned my license, it was titled “Real Estate Salesperson.”  Today, we get the more prestigious title of “Real Estate Broker.”   For some, this is a setup for heartache.  It happens in the first couple of trainings where newly minted licensees learn how to sell.  “Wait a minute.  I’m NOT a salesperson,” is the decree.  A shocking 50% of real estate agents drop out within the first year.  Why?  They become disheartened when they learn what it takes to be a successful salesperson.

The same is true of Christ-followers.  Today, in Mark 10:16-22, we read about the rich young ruler.  He came to Jesus excited.  So excited that he ran up to him.  He even knelt down in front of Jesus so that he could learn the secrets of eternal life.  Unfortunately, he got an answer that he didn’t like.  Jesus told him, simply and lovingly, go and sell all your possessions.  This, sadly, was not something the rich young ruler was willing to do.  The Bible says that upon hearing Jesus’ words, he went away disheartened and sorrowful.

Before you begin thinking that this does not apply to you, take a minute to reflect.  What, exactly, are you willing to endure to follow Christ? In today’s world, it is not unfathomable that you could lose your job for declaring Christ as king.  Is that why you keep quiet?  What about prison, or death?  I took a trip to Morrocco once where there was a real possibility for sharing my faith in Jesus.  It definitely gave me pause!

This was not the case for the disciples.  Instead, their amazement (Mark 10:32) of Christ led them to push through their fears and successfully live Christ-following lives.

This morning, I awoke to the sound of birds singing.  They were enjoying the first morning light and the calm air.  As I listen to their song and the stillness surrounding me, I find awe.  It comes from knowing that God has done this.  He set the sun to come up, every day.  He made the trees and created the air that we breathe.  He set us all in motion around his creation so that we can know him.  As I listened, I said, “you do amazing work, God.”

This is what Psalm 148 is all about.  When we are finally still enough to see and experience God, what do we do?  When we are awed by creation and realize at that moment that God is right here among us, how do we respond?  We praise him!

When I think of how we praise, I am reminded of a man that I knew a long time ago, Dan Olsen.  We were standing on a beach, overlooking a gorgeous bay.  He said simply, “you do amazing work, God.”  I was caught off guard by his audible comment, yet the intentionality of the remark was profound.   You see, he clearly understood the beauty of that place, at that moment, was the good work of God. He knew there was only one appropriate response to the awe.  Praise!

Today, I pray that you will see the beauty around you.  It has been carefully crafted for each one of us so that we can experience God.  When you do, remember to praise Him.

 

Today’s Reading : Psalms 141

Throughout our lives we have experience many different emotions and situations. I have experienced joy, sadness, despair, comfort, healing, jubilation and awe. These different emotions have been a part of me these last several weeks.

It stared with a little time away with my wife. We had a great time reconnecting and celebrating us as a partnership. Over the last several years we have been able to grow together and understand each other on a deeper level than when our relationship started (eighteen years ago) and even more since we were married (thirteen years ago).

Almost immediately after we returned, I received a call that one of my closest aunts passed away unexpectedly. I have many aunts and uncles, but this one was one of my main prayer partners and warriors. She and I had a relationship that was so connected when either one of us hurt, the other could sense it. We would call each other and say “God placed you on my heart” and we would prayer for each other. I had the honor of being a pallbearer for her to her final resting place.

Upon returning home from the funeral on Memorial Day, Oliver had one of the most terrifying seizures I and Jillian has witnessed. This happened in the middle of the night and we had to go to the emergency room and then to Lurie in Chicago to the neurology department for more observations. He was released on Thursday.

The following Sunday, my mother had to go to the hospital for observation and monitoring for heat exhaustion and cardiac monitoring. Then this past Thursday, Ollie had another major seizure that was a result of sodium depletion and new active brain tumor. We spent three days at Lurie Children’s hospital in Chicago getting him stable again. This has been a rough couple of weeks.

As I was sitting with Ollie and reading my devotions and my scriptures, Psalms 141 rings true: 1-2; 8-10

O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless![c]
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me
and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by safely.

In my devotion I have been going through the books written by Luke: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. One of the most profound parts that I was reintroduced to was when Paul was overwhelmed and didn’t want to continue, Paul had been through so many trail and tribulations that he wanted to give up everything, but God spoke to him and gave him courage.

Acts 18:9-10.

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

 Here is a few of the trials that Paul had endured before Corith.  2 Corinthians 11:22-28.

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[a] in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

These weeks make me “Cry out to God, Give ear to my voice”  for his protection and grace. And I have the assurance that he has been with me, is with me, and will be with me in times like these and beyond because of his love and promise. I pray that this will be a testimony that would encourage and enrich you in whatever you will, currently experiencing, or will experience in the future.

Lynden McGriff

I’m admiring Psalm 136 for its pure worship.  One of the things that strikes me is that there is no “I” in it.  I mean, the Psalmist never once mentions himself, or what God has done for him personally.  I think that’s what makes it so pure.  These are things that God has done for everyone, because he is God.  Today, for your worship, consider looking at God, the way the Psalmist has.

First, let’s remember who God is like the Psalmist did.  God is good.  He is the God of gods and the Lord of Lords!

Next, consider that he has done great wonders.  He made the heavens, spread out the waters, and made the great lights.  He is the creator of the sun, the moon, and stars.

Now, recall that he has fought and cared for us. He struck down Egypt’s first born, divided the red sea, an doverthrew Pharoh.  God struck down great and mighty kings, giving us their land as a heritage.

Don’t forget that he does all of this full of grace and love.  He remembered us in our low estate, and rescued us from our foes.  He provides nurisment for all of us.

OK, there is one more.  You see it in every line of thus Psalm.  It’s God’s steadfast Love, forever.  That means it didn’t stop with the Israelites and it doesn’t end with Jesus.  No, HIs love is forever.

I’d rather be lucky than good, is the popular phrase.  While it is not true, it does acknowledge the fact that many things in this life are simply out of our control.  We try.  We try hard.  We learn, we practice and we push harder to become more.  It will never be enough.

This was certainly true for the Israelites.  Today, in Psalms 124, we witness the Israelites realization that God had been protecting them.  First, they realized that they were outnumbered.  Then came the sinking reality that they were outmatched.  Finally, they were overcome with fear.  I get the sense that they were ready to give up.  Thankfully, that is not how the story ends.  Instead of disaster, the Israelites are victorious.  It turns out that God was on their side.  He saved them from all of the horrible things that could befall them.

Of course, as I read these words,  I am struck that this is about us.  Just like the Israelites, are easily overwhelmed.  We are surrounded by accidents and assaults, illness and addiction.  Any of these can destroy our lives in an instant and there is nothing we can do about it.  It does not matter how good we are,  how hard we try, or how much we learn.  In the end, it is not about being lucky or good.  It is about claiming the victory that Jesus Christ has already ensured each of us.  He is the proof that God is on our side.   We would do well to praise him for that, right now.

Romans 8:31-34 (NLT) What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.