Author: BJ Armstrong

Genesis 32; Mark 3; Esther 8; Romans 3

Bandwagon is a term that is often thrown around in our society.   Plan to hear it soon with Super Bowl 50 right around the corner. We all know what it is. Bandwagoner’s identify themselves with a group or a team to be on the winning side. They are marked by outward appearances only.   Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon. Esther experienced it, as we will see.

Esther 8:15 reads, “And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.” Do you hear bandwagon in this? I do. Because of the king’s edict, the Jewish people were revered, honored and protected. They became popular.  People from all over clambered for the same attention. But were they really Jews? As I consider that question, I am compelled to ask, “Are we really Christians?” How exactly should we define that relationship?

In his book, Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman defines Christ-Followers. He says, “It may seem that there are many followers of Jesus, but if they were honestly to define the relationship they have with him I am not sure it would be accurate to describe them as followers. It seems to me that there is a more suitable word to describe them. They are not followers of Jesus. They are fans of Jesus.” Do you see how this parallels the bandwagon Jews of Esther 8? When we choose Christ because of what he can do for us, we are similar to bandwagoner’s.  The same people that Paul and Jesus are railing on. In fact, we fit perfectly Paul’s description in Romans 3

 

“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one”
(Romans 3:10-12 ESV)

 OUCH! Those words sting! We have exactly two choices to alleviate the pain. One is to renounce Christ, which is clearly a bad choice. The other is to receive, by faith, the justification and redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith. (Romans 3:24,25). When we finally surrender to Christ, our salvation becomes “a matter of the heart, by the Spirit and His praise is not from man, but from God.” (Romans 2:29). NOT a bandwagon Christian.

Family: Genesis 26; Matthew 25. Secret: Esther 2; Acts 25.

I am humbled today by the patience and steadfastness of Isaac. This starts in the beginning of Genesis 26 when there was a famine in the land. As he is deciding where to go, presumably so that he can take care of his family, God has an interesting message for him. In effect, he says, “hey, don’t go to Egypt. Instead, stick around here and hang out in this land. If you stay, I will be with you and bless you. In fact, remember the promise that I gave your father, Abraham? I told him that he would be the father of nations. If you hang out with me here, you will be the one that helps me establish my promise to him.” Wow! That is a pretty serious honor. Isaac does, what any of us would do with such huge prospects ahead of us. He settles in the land God suggested, Gerar.

According to the scripture, God made Isaac very wealthy, very quickly. Yet, that same year, king Abimelech demands that he leave the valley. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I had just become rich I would be doing everything in my power to hold on to what is mine. Moreover, I would be even more pugnacious because God himself promised me. Isaac, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to mind. Without delay, he packs up and moves on, displaying incredible patience.

Perhaps Isaac is bolstered his patience with the prospect of using his father’s old wells? Surely he considered these to be part of God’s plan.  I certainly would have. Unfortunately, he would quickly discover that the old wells were no longer useful. They would need to be re-dug because the Philistines had spitefully filled them in. To his credit, he was not deterred by the extra work and effort. Not only would he rebuild the wells, he would show honor and gratitude for them, reestablishing the name of each, in homage of his father’s legacy.

Isaac endured trouble steadfastly. Every time he rebuilt a well, finding water, the neighboring people would come over and quarrel with him, claiming it for their own.   What did he do? Nothing. He moved on and did it again. This perplexes me greatly. Everything in me wants Isaac to fight for what is his.   Not only did Abraham establish these wells, God promised to provide for and prosper him. I want him to fight! Instead, Isaac moves forward, steadfastly, knowing that God will provide.  It pays off. He finally digs a well and there are no quarrels. How does he respond?   Not with a single thought or inkling that he had finally received his due, as I may have. Rightfully, Isaac responds with full thanks and gratitude to God. It was pure worship.

As I read through this story of Isaac, God reminds me that His promises are good, trustworthy and guaranteed. Unfortunately, God’s good promises can become feelings of entitlement and presumption. When they do, be reminded that the object of our affection has shifted to ourselves. Isaac never considered his own gain as a victory. Instead, all glory, honor and praise were for the Giver.

 

 

 

Family: Genesis 20; Matthew 19. Secret: Nehemiah 9; Acts 19.

Am I the only one that gets a little anxious when reading Matthew 19? There is something about verse 25 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. The rich young ruler chooses death. I really do not want to choose the same!

This reality is driven home for me in Nehemiah 9. Starting with verse 35, we are reminded of the great land that God had given his people. It is described as large and rich and surrounded by God’s great goodness. But, of course, the people did not serve God, or turn from their wicked works.  As in Nehemiah 9:36, I realize that I am nothing more than a slave. I become so surrounded and submerged in American culture that I often cannot see the goodness of God. No longer do I care that we have been given a great and rich land. When called upon to use a portion of it for His purposes, we reject him and live for our own passions and desires.

So what are we to do? Is there no hope? It would seem that we are all doomed to live as slaves, replaying this scenario over and over again. Thankfully, the disciples were on to this same question. It appears that they are just as freaked out as I am when they ask, “in astonishment, who can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25). I can hear the desperation in the question. They sense the impending doom. But, it is not. As long as we can keep an eye on Jesus there is hope. Jesus replies, “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)

 

Genesis 14; Matthew 13. Nehemiah 3; Acts 13.

Choices have consequences. There is something ominous about this phrase. Seriously, I get really nervous when I think about it because, like most of us, I have made (am making?) some really poor choices. Today’s scriptures brought this to light in a new way for me. In order to explain, I want to consider Abram. To do so, we need to start in Chapter 13.

In yesterday’s journal, Michael wisely noted Abram’s response to the riches that he possessed. In verse 4, “Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” I think you will see that this sets the stage for many events that follow.

The first of these events begins with strife between Abram and Lot. In order to resolve the conflict, Abram leads the way, suggesting that they split apart. Now, the part that confounds my worldly wisdom is that Abram gives Lot the first choice.   I refuse to believe that Abram did not see the same things that Lot did, as described in verse 10.  He saw the Jordan Valley which was, “well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt.” Even so, Abram did not choose it. He gave the privilege of first choice to Lot. Why not? The simple answer is that it was not important to him. Abram recognized that his blessed life was not a result of his surroundings, but of God’s hand on his life.

The second choice Abram makes shows up in Genesis 14:21. The king of Sodom offers him the loot that was stolen from the city. Not unlike his refusal to take the land in the Jordan Valley, Abram refuses the easy and obvious choice. What is it about Abram that causes him to make such choices? Simple; he knew how to keep God the one thing. The one thing for Abram was crystal clear. His purpose in this life was to serve God. Neither the money (rich in livestock), nor the first choice of where to live (Jordan Valley) or even the enticements by the king were worth his attention.

This world is always falling victim to misguided purpose. In order to make good decisions we attempt to increase our will power or gain more wisdom. It occurs to me that Abram didn’t worry about those things. Instead, he “called upon the name of the LORD,” “gave him a tenth of everything,” and “lifted his hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.” Today is a new day. How will you choose?

Family: Genesis 7; Matthew 7. Secret: Ezra 7; Acts 7.

In any given circumstance, I find that I want to be part of the selected group. Not unlike choosing teams on the playground, I’ve always striven to be either the captain, picked first and at the very least, part of the best group. In order to maintain that status, there are certain things that are expected. In my adult life, a few of the worldly traits that get you into the boardroom are intelligence, influence and often status or wealth. Ironically, I have a tendency to transfer this worldly wisdom to God’s eternal kingdom. Surely, by doing these same things, I can get, earn even, God’s favor. Today’s reading sheds some light on how we get favor by God. Let’s take a look at all four of today’s chapters.

First, God’s favor was clearly on Noah. I can tell you with absolute certainty that I would have been working desperately to be chosen for that 40 day voyage! How did Noah get chosen? The answer lies in Genesis 7:1, where God acknowledges the righteousness that Noah displays. Where exactly did he become righteous? Turn back for a moment to Genesis 6:9, and see that Noah, “walked with God.” What we learn from Noah is that God does not choose his people willy-nilly. He puts out the invitation, makes himself known and allows us to choose Him.

Second, Ezra was also favored by God. Check out Ezra 7:9. It says, “ The good hand of God was upon him.” Wow, when I read that, I want to have it too! As with Noah, God did not choose Ezra randomly. Verse 10 describes Ezra’s passion for God. “Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Again, God set out the invitation, with the law in this case; it was up to Ezra to respond.

Third, look back at Acts 7. Stephen was chosen to be a leader back in chapter 6. Once again, it was not a random selection but based on his heart. Acts 6:3 records that he was “of good repute [and] full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” Now, We may not get a description of how Stephen achieved his wisdom and fullness, but chapter 7 definitely gives us an indication. Most of the chapter consists of him reciting scripture to the men in the synagogue. How do you suppose that information landed in his head? More importantly, the information permeated his heart resulting in transformation. This is evident by the intensity of the Holy Spirit working in his life. (Acts 6:10)

Finally, turning to Matthew 7, we hear directly from Jesus about how we can be part of his chosen. God has sent us an invitation, in his son Jesus Christ. We must now choose him, or not. Our choosing Jesus starts with seeking. Verse 7 says that we should “seek and find, knock and it will be opened.” These are the activities that lead to a renewed heart. The benefit, you ask? “The good gifts.” (v11) While I cannot quantify what they are, history says that being chosen and favored by God are among them.

Seven days into our journey, I am praying that Gods wisdom is working its way into our hearts and minds. As it does, I know that we will find opportunities to be obedient to it. Noah, Ezra and Stephen are all great examples of how God’s word, when accepted whole-heartedly and personally, transforms us. I can think of no better favor from God than seeing for myself “the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)

I cannot believe that it is already here.  Today, is the first day of a new year and the first day for this fun project.  Thank you, for joining us!

Today’s reading link:

Family: Genesis 1; Matthew 1. Secret: Ezra 1; Acts 1.

CONNECTED WITH GOD

God created this world with an amazing amount of intentionality. When I simply consider the broad strokes that God painted in Genesis 1, I naturally gloss over it. But, taking a closer look, it becomes clearer. What did he do? He created the scene and established the boundaries for us to live our lives. Then, he simply says, “be fruitful and multiply.” He intends to let us do it. There is no step-by-step plan, but an incredibly complex venue for us to live our lives. He has provided all of the raw materials. What we do with them and how we do it, is left up to us. Some might call it “free will.”

For me, perhaps the most striking part of this conversation comes in verse 28. You see, as humans, we are “blessed.” For whatever reason, God created us differently than the plants, birds and animals. When I consider that we God’s blessing on us, I realize that he intended more for us simple survival. According to Merriam-Webster, to be blessed means that we “have a sacred nature,” and are “connected with God.” This reminder is one reason that I appreciate the creation story so much. It is so easy to get bogged down in all the details and rules of religion. Today, remember that we have been given everything that we need.  We have a divine blessing. We choose to embrace it, or not. Furthermore, the way we use it is a direct reflection of our own relationship with God.