18

Jump Start # 608

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | 1 Comment

Jump Start # 608

2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things, but  I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

This verse seems to sum up the life of the apostle Paul. It is a very personal verse. Notice how many times he uses the word “I”, six times. He is talking about himself, but more so, he is talking about the Lord.

  • I suffer
  • I am not ashamed
  • I know
  • I am convinced
  • I have entrusted

It’s not “we”, but “I”.  This is where our faith is lived. It’s not what we are doing, it is what am I doing. It’s not what the church believes, it is what I believe. Our faith, to be real, must belong to us, to me.

I especially like the expression, “I know whom I believe.” His faith was more than just personal, it was in a person, Jesus Christ. His faith wasn’t in the system of Christianity, though, he believed in that and taught that, his faith was in Jesus. It was Jesus, not the system of Christianity that would save him, guard him and help him. He knew Jesus. He believed in Jesus. He trusted Jesus. He was not ashamed of Jesus. His faith was in the person of Jesus.

Now to that thought, “I know whom I believe…” Just what is it that one knows? It is easy for us to manufacture a Jesus that fits my needs and my liking. A Jesus that is all fun, or a Jesus that is totally cool. How about a Jesus that doesn’t mind me bending the rules now and then? Or, a Jesus that loves me even though church isn’t my thing? A rock ‘n roll Jesus? A biker Jesus? Many years ago a group called Brewer and Shipley had a hit song that said,  “One toke over the line sweet Jesus, one toke over the line.” I’m not sure what the song was about, but I expect it had something to do with smoking dope. A sweet Jesus that was ok with one toke over the line.

Paul said, “I know whom I believe…” The Jesus Paul knew came from God’s revelation. It was the Jesus of the Bible—that’s the  only real Jesus. Anything else is made up and not true. God reveals Jesus to us. No one was like Jesus. No one was as compassionate as Jesus. No one helped as much as Jesus. No one was as true and genuine to God as Jesus was. No one was concerned about keeping God in the picture as much as Jesus was.

So, what do we know about Jesus?

  • We know that He loves you, not just when you are good, but at all times.
  • We know that He has a plan for you
  • We know that He wants you to spend forever with Him in Heaven
  • We know that He wants you to follow His word, all of it, even the tough things.

Each week Christians gather to remember the Lord’s Death by taking the Lord’s Supper. It is a reminder. Without that reminder, we may forget. Yet, God doesn’t need reminders to remember us. He doesn’t have a photo album that He flips through or a ribbon from our hair or some memento from days gone by so that He would never forget. God is not like that. We need those things. God knows you. Do you know Him?

I am…is what Paul declared. I am not ashamed. I am convinced. I know… The gloom of doubt can make us wonder sometimes. Fear, worry, stress, and feeling alone all combine to chip away at what we know. Remember the one who wrote those words, was sitting in a Roman prison awaiting a trial that would probably lead to his death. Yet, those things did not take away what he knew. It’s that rock solid faith that will get us through. People raise questions. Satan fires his missiles. Some ridicule. Others mock. It’s not popular. You’ll not find Hollywood lining up for Jesus. Yet, he knew.

How about you? Can you say that? Can you live that way? What’s keeping you? Your prison walls of problems seem impossible to escape, but He is able. That’s how Paul saw it.

Roger

 

17

Jump Start # 607

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 607

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Our passage today is one that preachers often used years ago. It’s a great verse that expresses three central ideas and one illustration of that idea. These words are to inspire and motivate brethren. They ought to muster a “let’s go do it” spirit within them. We can sometimes use a bit of that ourselves. It’s easy to get stuck in the same routines and even get a bit lazy with our spiritual life. Sure we still attend church services, but the personal stuff, the praying, spending time with the word, the being busy in good deeds, can be put on hold with kids, life and all the things we are doing. It’s not done on purpose, it just happens. But without noticing it much, when we get that way, we suffer. We lose our sharpness, our spiritual awareness, and our passion. Most of us have been there. I believe we are not the first, that’s why we find verses like this.

The main thought that everything in this passage is wrapped around is “presenting yourself approved to God.” Presentation. Military people understand what happens during inspections. You are presenting yourself. There are two ways this is done. First, it is done at the judgment of God. Everyone is presented before God. We stand before God. The books are opened. It sounds scary, and maybe it should to a point. Eternity rests upon what the righteous Judge says. This is why we walk by faith. The grace of God is what saves us.

The other way we present our selves before God, is everyday. Everyday God sees me, knows me, hears me, and is aware of what I am doing. The point is not presenting yourself, that happens without you having much to do with that. There is no escaping that. The thought is presenting yourself APPROVED before God. That’s what this is all about. Be approved. Be right. Be pleasing to God. This is done with a God awareness in our lives. That awareness will help shut the door to temptations. It will drive us to being spiritual people. Walk approved.

Approved, as a workman who is not ashamed. That’s the illustration. An unashamed worker. Who would that be? One who does his job well. You see both sides of this illustration all the time. You see folks who truly earn their paycheck. They work hard. They work honestly. They work, whether the boss is around or not. They have nothing to be ashamed about. Receiving their paycheck is something they can feel good about because they have worked hard. Then there are the others. They show up but they don’t work. They play around on the computer, they call people on the cell phone, they find ways to avoid work at all costs. Come payday, they’ll get a paycheck, but they ought to turn it back in. They haven’t earned it. They ought to be ashamed. Paul’s point is, present yourself approved to God like the good workman, like the person who takes it seriously.

The second principle here is how we do this: Be diligent. Get about it, right now. Diligence carries the idea of urgency and importance. This is the manner in which a person presents himself approved to God—he is diligent about it. Changes that need to be made, are made. Growth happens. This is a person who wants to please God right now—as a high school student, as a newly married couple, as a young parent…they are not waiting for something down the road. They are not waiting until a better time in their life, they are diligent. They are in the “Now.”

The third principle this passage puts before us is how we present ourselves approved before God. There are many ways this could be done: morally, by obedience to His word, by being busy helping others—all wonderful ways. Paul tells us what he has in mind. By “handling accurately the word of truth.” That’s how. That’s what we are diligent about. That’s how we present ourselves approved to God. It’s not the only way, but it’s the way that is important and that Paul has in mind. Handling accurately the Bible. Don’t misuse it. Don’t make it say what it doesn’t say. Don’t use it to get your way. Handle it carefully. Handle it accurately. Handle it rightly. God’s word brings us all to Him. God’s word molds us and shapes each of us. God’s word builds faith and strengthens our commitment. God’s word helps us to fight Satan. Misusing God’s word can lead us into error. It can corrupt hearts and distort the image of our Savior.

Paul’s words are to Timothy, a young preacher. All preachers, even the old ones, need to handle God’s word accurately. But the principle applies to each of us, preacher or not. To handle it accurately implies that we know it. We understand it. We’ve spent time with it.

What a privilege and a blessing it is that we have God’s word. It is His story, not ours. It is His will and His heart revealed. God could have easily said, you sinned. Now you try to find me. He didn’t. He could have said, you figure it out. He didn’t. He gave us His word. It is His promises. It is what He desires from us. I’ve got a bunch of Bibles. I have a couple of favorites. The covers are worn and the pages well used. I like the feel of those Bibles. Without looking, I can nearly open to any book of the Bible, just by feeling the pages. I’ve spent a lot of time in those books. They’ve become like an old friend. They have taught me. They have reminded me. They have opened my eyes. They have stepped on my toes and thumped me.

There are not short cuts to studying the Bible. It’s like a workman, there is work involved. Looking, thinking, doing research, reading, discovering are all a part of Bible study. These things pay off. First, you know what God says. You know what He wants. You walk confidently, because you know. Second, you can’t help read without changing. Spending time with Jesus pulls you to Him. It helps you become “approved” to God. You quickly recognize what’s not right, because you know so well what is right. But about all, you have a strong relationship with the Lord. Trust, faith, obedience all come from spending time with God’s word.

I’m seeing many folks being too busy for this. They are moving away from this. We are allowing what we get during church services to be our spiritual vitamin that gets us through the week. Not good. Make some adjustments. Find the time. Be diligent. Be the unashamed workman. Handle it accurately.

Great reminders from the apostle. We need those. It will make a difference. We are one day closer to Heaven, don’t forget.

Roger

 

16

Jump Start # 606

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 606

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Yesterday we looked at the first part of this passage, the six negative actions and attitudes that Paul expected the brethren to put away from their hearts. These verses, as in many other places, remind us that it’s not enough to avoid the bad or even to remove the negatives from our lives if we do not replace them with what God wants. In classic Biblical language, we find here, “Be…” Be kind, be tender-hearted, be forgiving. Be. Be is much more than just doing, it is becoming what you are. It is embracing, accepting and changing. Peter used similar language when he said, “Be holy…” The state of “being” defines what you are. Be kind means become a kind person. Be tender-hearted, means become that way. This is not something that a person can put on and take off. Being kind is not something you try to be on Sunday, but Monday it’s back to “dog eat dog” corporate world where only the sharks survive. Be kind. You’ll also notice that Paul does not place a location on this. Be kind in church services…or be kind at home, but it’s ok to be “unkind” to promote yourself. No. Be kind. I’m not “being” kind, if there are areas of my life which I’m not kind.

Among these three positive statements, Paul is shaping the heart of a N.T. Christian. Each of these words are found first in Jesus. These words are often the hardest to apply to men. We like being tough, aggressive, manly, and busting the opponent in the chops. We like movies in which the good guys blasts the bad guy. Captain America, with his amazing shield, or Thor, with his mighty hammer—that’s the image we like. Kindness, tenderness and forgiving seems weak and not fitting for men. So, many of us skip these things. We justify it as “that’s not for us.” We walk through life, walking on others, beating our chests, being tough and leaving a path of wounded people, first in our families and then in the congregations we attend. We blast the sinner. We give it to the Christian who is weak. We let them have it with both barrels, thrusting verses and expectations at them to such an extent that they leave and never come back. We accept that. They didn’t have faith we say, but the reality is often that we were not kind, nor tender, nor forgiving to them.

Don’t call Jesus weak. He’s not the original wimpy kid. But He was kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. This is why people came to Him. This is why people followed Him. This is why people brought their questions, their sick and their problems to Him. Could it be that part of our problems with evangelism is that we’ve not shown kindness, tenderness or the willingness to forgive. These words of Paul are for all of us. They are for the athlete who wants to follow Jesus. They are for the hunter who wants to follow Jesus. No man is too tough that he cannot be tender, kind and forgiving.

Kindness—comes in many forms. It is listening. It is doing things for others. It is being helpful, thoughtful. Kind words. Kind acts. Kind hearts. Kindness is attractive. Kindness builds and not destroys.

Tender-hearted– tenderness. Sensitive. Caring. Being able to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Feeling for others. Sympathy. Empathy. Weeping with those who weep. The opposite is heartless, cold, indifferent. It is a “who-cares” spirit. That kills a family. That wounds a church. We need tenderness to understand each other. We need it to help work through the messes that we get in. Tenderness comes with patience.

Forgiving—letting it go. Releasing. Second chances. Forgiving just as God has forgiven us. Wow! How many times has God forgive you? Ten times? A thousand times? Does God have a limit, like a medical cap, once you’ve reached that certain number, you are on your own? He doesn’t. He can forgive you a million times. Often, God forgives us for the same sin, over and over again. What about us? Just as God. A hundred times? A million times?

What is fascinating about these two verses, is that we are shown what happens when we forgive and when we do not. To forgive involves being kind and tender toward the offending party. When we don’t forgive, we become bitter, angry, and tend to slander and want malice toward the person who hurt us. Refusing to forgive hurts us more than it hurts the offender. It eats us up and tears us up on the inside. Let it go. Your forgiving doesn’t mean God has. The person has to make it right with God. But you can release the pain and the burden so you don’t have to be a mess on the inside.

So there it is before us. We chose. We can walk through life, bitter, angry or kind and tender. Don’t hang your hat on the fact that you’ve been a victim, you had terrible things happen to you—you choose. Are you going to be a bitter person or a kind person. Are you going to slander or are you going to forgive? Don’t talk about rights. I have a right to be this way because…No, you don’t. You decide whether you will be kind or bitter. If you choose to be angry and bitter there are consequences that come with that. First, a ton of people will not want to be around you. Your attitude will stink and you’ll be sour about life. Your spirit will have an affect upon your children. They’ll grow up thinking that’s normal and acceptable. It’s not, but you’ve painted that picture for them. Brethren will not want to be with you much because of your negative ways. Finally, God is not glorified nor pleased with you. His apostle said to put these things aside. You chose not to do that. You’ve disobeyed God.

Or, you can choose to walk through life being kind and tender-hearted. You’ll see sunshine where the other guy only sees gloom. You’ll add value and hope to the lives of others. Your spirit will attract and people will want to be around you. You’ll be an encouragement to others. Those who choose to be bitter won’t like you and you’ll bother them, but that won’t stop you. You’ll find that this is the way that Jesus walked. When you’ve been hurt, you’ll forgive. It will be hard, but you’ll find the strength to do it. In time, you’ll see that it takes more strength, courage and might to be kind, tender and forgiving, than it is to be bitter and angry. You’ll be an asset to any congregation. You’ll be the tower in the family. You’ll make people’s day because you are praying for them, thinking of them and simply acting like Jesus.

This is how God wants all of us to be. Many are. It’s been their nature for a long time. Others, really have to work at this. It’s hard for them. They’ve not seen this in the home. They don’t see this in the work place. They do see it in the Gospels, because that’s the way Jesus is.

Bitter or kind? Angry or tender-hearted? Slanderous or forgiving? It’s not really a choice to be made. God has already told us. If we are not tender, kind and forgiving, we are doing wrong. We are not like His Son and we best get about becoming that way or we will be in trouble. No excuses. No delays. It’s time to “be…”

Roger

 

15

Jump Start # 605

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 605

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God is Christ also has forgiven you.”

Attitudes—they are often hard to adjust and harder still to correct. It seems that we can start the day off in a pretty good mood, but the drive to work, the atmosphere of the office, the nature of co-workers can put us in a foul spirit and by the end of the day we are complaining, negative and stressed. What’s worse is that we often come home that way and take it out upon our families.

Our passage today sets forth what we should not do and what we should do. A negative is contrasted with a positive. Paul identifies six attitudes or spirits that we should put away or do away with. These are all the very attitudes that bruise relationships and make things tense.

There are a couple of interesting thoughts deep within this passage.

First, these attitudes are choices that we have. Generally, we do not see them that way. Most do not choose to be angry. We’d say something like, “The way that other guy drove his car made me mad,” or, “the boss dumping a ton of work on my desk right before it’s time to go home, made me mad,” or, “the waitress nearly forgetting to serve us made me mad.” What’s worse, is that we take those attitudes and feelings home and we take it out on the innocent family members. Angry comes naturally and quickly. We didn’t choose to be that way, it just happened. That’s how we tend to think.

When Paul used the concept of put them away, he was implying that we are in control of our attitudes and emotions. They do not control us, but we control them. These negative and often sinful attitudes can be stopped. They can be dumped. They can be changed. We are not slaves of our spirits and emotions. We cannot control what happens to us, but we do control how we will respond. The late author Barbara Johnson used to write often in her books, “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.” Don’t choose that option. That’s what Paul is saying.

Second, you’ll notice the use of the word “all.” It is inherit in all of these words. Let ALL bitterness, and (all) wrath, and (all) anger, and (all) clamor, and (all) slander, and (all) malice be put away from you. It does little good to get rid of some of it. Even keeping just a little will poison your heart, dampen your spirit and cause relationship problems.

All of these words have to do with relationships. A person doesn’t slander them self. They slander others. Bitter toward self? Never. But others? Yeah, that’s a problem. It’s hard to be a family, any kind of family, with these attitudes flowing freely. It hurts the natural family and it hurts the church family.

What is interesting also about these words that Paul wants us to dump is that he doesn’t get into the reasons why we feel this way. We can easily hold on to these negative attitudes because we feel like we are justified. The way the other person treated us gives us the right to be angry, to slander them and to be bitter. Paul didn’t open that door. He doesn’t address whether we have the right to feel this way—he simply said get rid of it. It tears us up on the inside and it kills the love and unity we are to have for each other.

Have you noticed how many people dwell in these negative attitudes? At the most innocent thing they explode and snap at others. It seems some are always angry. Some never see the sunshine of life. They are bitter about nearly everything. This is a terrible way to live. Kids grow up and usually adapt a worse form of those things that they have seen. What is worst, is when folks profess to walk with Jesus, but they have never changed their attitudes. Their sour spirits turn people away from Christ, and strains the relationships they have in the church.

The answer, put these things away. It’s your choice. You do not have to walk through life carrying these wicked attitudes that distort everything you see. Jesus is the answer. He is different. He is the example. He wasn’t this way. He had folks accuse Him. He had people leaving Him, questioning Him, denying Him and betraying Him. Did Jesus have reason to be bitter? He wasn’t. Could He slander others? He didn’t. Did He walk through life angry? No.

Choices—we make them with our breakfast cereal, the clothes that we put on and the attitudes that we wear. Our attitudes make us beautiful or ugly. They stand out more than our outfits, our makeup or our physical features. I know this older man, he’s not handsome at all. His teeth are crooked, he’s rather plain looking and nothing is really attractive about him, except his spirit. He is one of the kindest, most humble people I know. I love talking to him because he has a wonderful way of seeing what is important and doesn’t dwell upon the superficial things that do not matter. He is one of the most beautiful persons in the world. People are attracted to him because of his kind, thoughtful and sweet spirit. I tend to think Jesus was like that. Not much to see on the outside, but on the inside, there was no one like Him. This is what Paul is driving at. We spend so much time making the outside look good, but the inside is what we ignore and that is where we need to put the most attention. The inside will be remembered, not the outside. The inside makes or breaks the deal with most people. If you are treated rudely, you find another place to eat your food, buy your car, go to church, or even have surgery. We’ll switch doctors, jobs and even friends, on the basis of how we are treated.

Make sure that you are not doing that to others. Make sure your spirit is not the cause for some to leave. Make sure your spirit is not what is keeping you from Heaven.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at the positive things Paul wants us to add. Today, is trash day at our house. But actually, every day is—as we dump the selfish and wrong attitudes that fill our hearts. Just toss them out—that’s the answer. They won’t do you any good. It’s like keeping an old banana peel. It doesn’t have much of a purpose and before long, it starts to stink the place up. Sour attitudes do the same!

 

Roger

 

 

14

Jump Start # 604

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 604

Acts 17:2-3 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “ This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

Our passage today is like a journal entry, except it comes from God. It is taken from Paul’s travels. This wasn’t a vacation trip, but a preaching trip. He was traveling deep into new lands to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our verse finds Paul in Thessalonica where he visited a Jewish synagogue and used the opportunity to teach Jesus Christ.

There are three lessons here.

1. “According to Paul’s custom.” Today, we’d use the word “habit.” It was his habit to go to synagogues and teach about Jesus. Our Lord had “customs” or habits as well. Luke 4 shows Jesus in the synagogue as was His custom. There He read from the prophet and declared that the prophecy was fulfilled in their midst. Spiritual habits. We have them and often do not recognize them. We attend church services on Sunday. Our neighbors see us leaving every week, carrying Bibles in our hands. They know where we are going. Others have the habit of praying every day. Still others, spend a few moments reading the Bible every day. If a person wanted to find Paul on a Sabbath day, they’d go to one of the synagogues. He was surely there teaching.

2. “For three Sabbaths.” In my book, that’s three weeks. It’s not much of a habit or custom if you do something now and then or once in a while. Doing things consistently makes it a custom or habit. For three Sabbaths Paul taught in the synagogues. Teaching takes time. It takes patience. One sermon, one lesson, one class is often not enough. Paul stayed and taught. He taught for three weeks. Preachers need to remember this. One lesson, one time is often not enough. Parents need to remember this. The smaller the child, the more often the parent has to repeat the lesson. Some days it seems like you are repeating the lesson every day. Consistency is the key here. Stay with it. The same goes for our person growth and walk with the Lord. Anyone can do Sunday. That’s easy. What about Monday? Then Tuesday afternoon? Walking with the Lord…being righteous…letting your light shine. At work, at play, every day… Stay at it. Stay with it. If Paul had quit after the first Sabbath, little would have changed. He stayed. He taught. A church was started.

3. “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence” Don’t expect people to believe just because you say so. Show them. Prove it to them. Give evidence. The word “reasoned” could also be translated “debated.” Paul taught. They argued otherwise. Paul reasoned. Paul debated. Paul taught. Truth stands the test. Truth doesn’t bend or compromise. Paul didn’t say, “I see it differently, but that’s ok.” No, it’s not ok. Some things are right and some things are not right. A person can’t have it both ways. Tolerance doesn’t fit all subjects

This also shows us that our faith isn’t blind. Our faith is based upon “evidence” and proofs. First and foremost, from the Scriptures. The fulfillment of prophecy is what Paul was showing this Jewish audience. They knew the O.T. They knew prophecy. They didn’t know that those prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. Paul connected the dots. He showed them. They became convinced because of the evidence.

Proof—that’s what college students need for their faith. Proof that the word of God is indeed from God. How do you know? Other books claim to be from God, but they’re not. What makes the Bible different? Proof. Evidence.

What about creation? Evolutionists believe that they have all the proof on their side. They see it as a match between science and religion. Some believe that there is no room for discussion. Fossils. Age of rocks. The light years of stars. The similarities between different classes of animals. Is there any hope in believing the creation account in Genesis? Yes. There is proof, internally and externally. Evidence points to creation.

Our children need to be shown evidence. Just saying, “because I said so,” often isn’t enough, especially for the bigger kids. They need to know why. Give them evidence. Give them proof. This requires doing your homework. This calls for some digging and thinking and reading and note taking. The evidence is there. It’s up to us to find it and reveal it to others.

What a great example from Paul. He had habits, he stayed with it, and he revealed proof that Jesus was the Christ. The result was several Thessalonians became Christians. Got a friend you’ve been trying to teach? Think about what Paul did. Are you busy raising your kids? Think about what Paul did.

For most of us, that is exactly how we became Christians. Someone patiently taught us over a course of a few weeks. Our questions got answered. Our doubts were removed. We saw the evidence in the Scriptures. It worked then. It still works today.

Stay with it…Paul did.

Roger

 

11

Jump Start # 603

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 603

Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)”

Yesterday we gave some thoughts about moms—specifically, the difficulty that Mother’s Day brings to those whose moms have passed away or those whose moms who are less than honorable. It’s hard to honor a person who isn’t deserving, yet God wants us to step up and do the right thing and care for our parents because of the position that they are in.

Today, we look at the positive side of Mother’s Day. The honor and love we express to those moms who really tried and who made a difference. I see such moms on Sundays in church buildings. They are trying to worship God and keep their little ones quiet while everyone worships. These moms come into worship carrying diaper bags, back packs, Bibles and look as if they are off on a long journey. On many Sundays, they get bits and pieces of worship because they are answering questions of little ones, calming disputes between the little ones,  or are taking a little one out so the rest can hear. These moms often look exhausted at the end of worship and I know they often wonder what good it’s doing, for either the child or for her. Yet they come. Every week. That little child grows. Before long, he’s singing the songs the adults are. As he continues to grow, he pays attention to what’s going on, he listens, he learns. In time, he obeys Jesus and becomes a Christian. The heart of mom swells as she witnesses this. That little boy has grown into a fine young man who has developed his own faith in Jesus Christ. As he continues to grow he leads the congregation in singing on Sunday evening. He teaches a class. One day he stands before the congregation and preaches a sermon. So many of us today have a similar story.  We were not raised in the church, we were brought up in Jesus. We started off with such a huge advantage over other kids who never had this regular spiritual influence. Ours wasn’t just at the church building, but it began at home. Our moms made us behave. We had rules and curfews. We had to watch our words and our attitudes. When they were wrong, we got it. We had to share with our brothers and sisters. We had to clean our rooms, eat meals with the entire family, do things as a family and even say prayers. Our moms made sure that our Bible lessons were completed. They wanted to know details about who our friends were and they wouldn’t let us date just anyone nor at the age we thought we ought to.

Our moms were in our lives. Sometimes, often, we rejected that. We wanted to be like the other kids who didn’t have moms like that. They had freedoms. They could say the words we weren’t allowed to. They were the ones who were smoking in middle school. They were the ones who were tasting beer before high school. These are the ones who experimented with drugs and had sexual relations during high school We wanted to be like them. Some of us, joined them. It broke our mom’s heart. We rebelled. We fought her ways. We longed for that far country.

Many of us now are raising our own kids. We have settled into parenthood and now see that our moms kept us from many dangers, hurts and above all introduced us to the goodness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We were raised where many things were already settled. We knew where we were going to be every Sunday—at church. We knew that certain things were already settled. We were expected to behave—everywhere and at all times. When we didn’t, we got it. Our moms spanked. Our moms preached. Our moms fussed at us. Our moms were molding us and we didn’t even realize it. She kept us from being arrested. She kept us from being kicked out of school. She kept us out of life long addictions. She kept us from running away from responsibilities. She made us apologize when we did something wrong. How embarrassing that was. She fussed at the music we listened to, the clothes that we wore and how late we stayed up.

Most of us remember that. And today, thanks to our loving Savior, and the good work of our moms, we are decent citizens who hold responsible jobs who are making a difference in the community. We don’t walk down the city streets burning things in anger. We don’t sleep on park benches nor expect a free ride. Our moms taught us hard work. Today, we are raising our families. Today we are active in God’s kingdom. Many of us are preaching, shepherding, teaching Bible classes and teaching our friends about Jesus. We can be counted upon in a crisis. We are there for others. We serve. We devote time and energy to others. We are what we are because of Jesus and the influence of our moms. Without those influences, most of us would be a wreck today.

For our moms who are senior citizens now, thank you. Those words do not seem enough for all that you have done. Your work was well done. You made us, shaped us and hopefully we can do a job as well as you did.

For the moms who are in the midst of raising children now, hang in there. It’s more than food and laundry and making beds, it shaping character, it’s molding attitudes, it’s shaping hearts, it’s influencing for good. The kids may fight you about the rules, don’t give in. They may want to be like other kids, don’t let them. Someday, they will thank you. It may take a long time, but they will.

I have been asked more than once if anyone in my family preached before me. My answer is my Mom did. She was always preaching to me. I didn’t like some of the lessons. I didn’t want to hear it many times. But today I am so thankful she did. She knew. She tried. She had help from God.

Thanks, Mom.

Roger

 

10

Jump Start # 602

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 602

Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)”

Sunday is Mother’s Day. It is a time that kids draw home made cards, make a breakfast for Mom and try to give her the day off. It usually ends up giving her a greater mess that she has to clean up later, which somehow she doesn’t mind doing. I thought I’d take a couple of our Jump Starts and talk about Mom.

Our verse today shows us that God is pro-family. It is God who designed, defined and established what a family unit is. When Jesus came to earth, He came into a family. Within the Ten Commandments, immediately following the laws about God, came honoring your father and mother. Liberal, secular society has attempted to redefine the family unit. The aggressive homosexual agenda would want us to believe that what two men offer or what two women offer is just as good as what God designed. WRONG. First, we are not in the position of defining what God has set. It’s already done. I can go through life saying that 2 + 2 = 5, but I’m wrong. I can redefine colors, directions or words. I can be different. But at the end of the day, I look dumb. 2 + 2 will never be five. Never. I can say two men are married or a man and his dog are married or that I came from aliens or any other weird idea, but at the end of the day, I’m wrong. God has determined what a family is. Accept it or reject it, but you cannot change it. Secondly, we cannot improve upon what God has made. God does everything best the first time around. These strong agendas are nothing more than Satan’s gospel being accepted by those who do not know God. Satan wants to destroy the family and he’ll find those who will dance to his music.

Moms– they come in all sizes. We don’t get to pick our moms, maybe that’s good and maybe that isn’t. Mother’s Day for many isn’t a happy day. It’s a hard day for them.

First, there are those whose moms have passed away. The first mother day without mom is hard. My mom has been gone for a long time. She passed away at the age of 67, which is not that old, and is not all that far from me now. A lot has happened within my family since mom died. Two of my children have gotten married, another one will next year. We have a grandchild on the way. One of my sons preaches and he and I held our first joint gospel meeting a few weeks ago. Life moves on. Things happen. There has been many occasions that I wish I could have shared things with her. I know several folks whose moms have passed away recently. This day is hard. It’s hard to see others with their moms, and you can’t be with yours. It’s hard because you still want her to be around. In some ways a person may feel cheated. They may even get angry.

Second, there are those whose moms didn’t “mom” very well. They may have had issues, addictions, anger or sinful behavior that made growing up a real challenge. You mom may still be alive, but there are issues and differences. Maybe she has not accepted Jesus. Maybe she has left Jesus. The thoughts of our verse tug on your heart. You need to honor her, but it’s hard. She makes it hard. She loves to give guilt. She loves to play the victim. She loves to control your life and make it more stressful than what it is. It is hard being around her.

God’s words to us are not always easy. Honoring your parents is not qualified. He does not say, “Honor them if they are Christians.” Nor does it say, “honor them if they are honorable.” What about those who are not Christians? Honor them. What about those who are not honorable? Honor them. Just as David respected the office that King Saul held and understood that Saul was appointed by God, even though Saul was nearly crazy and was attempting to kill David, the position demanded honor and respect. David would not lift his hand against Saul. May we learn from that ourselves.

As our parents age, honor shifts from listening and loving and respecting them to actually taking care of them. There comes a time in their later years that they need the help of their grown children. This can become especially hard. Some have had to take the car keys away from aging parents. It was for their own safety. That’s hard and often comes with a battle. Some have had to make the difficult choice of finding an assisted living or a nursing home for their parents. The physical and medical attention that they need requires this decision. It’s hard. You feel in some ways that you are neglecting them or are abandoning them, but you’re not. You know deep inside that this is the best choice. Remember, even on the cross, Jesus told John, “Behold, your mother.” Jesus was taking care of His mother, even after He was gone. That job fell to the oldest son and Jesus was “honoring her” by doing this.

Tomorrow, I will write about the pleasant side of Mother’s Day. It is important for us to realize that many people have a hard time on Mother’s Day. Say a prayer for them. The Lord will help them, us, as He always does. Learn. Be the parent that you ought to be. Dump the baggage that you’ve been carrying all these years. Build strong relationships with your children. Walk with the Lord. Be an example for your children. Remember, the torch passes to us and from us to our children. Glorify God in all that you do.

Roger

 

09

Jump Start # 601

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 601

John 6:26 “Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”

The sixth chapter of John is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus and in the hearts of the multitudes. Jesus was popular. Everywhere He went massive crowds showed up. They brought their sick and crippled family members. Earlier in this chapter Jesus fed the multitudes. Five thousand men ate. Estimating women and children it is easy to believe that 10-15,000 were fed by Jesus. Aside from the events at the crucifixion and resurrection, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle found in all four gospels. Here are a few reasons why:

  • More people were participants in that miracle than any other. With most miracles, Jesus healed a person and the crowd witnessed. With this miracle, they all ate what Jesus created. They were all involved directly.
  • This was most likely the longest lasting miracle. A common expression found with healings is the word “immediately.” Mark’s gospel uses that word often. Immediately the blind received their sight. Immediately the lame walk. Immediately the dead were raised. That word isn’t used here. The crowd didn’t have their hungry bellies filled immediately. Jesus made the bread and fish, which were a poor man’s snack, and the apostles would take it to groups of 50 or 100. They would return and take more. Twelve men feeding 10,000 people would take a while.

The context in which our verse is found begins with the statement, “The next day…” The next day they went looking for Jesus. When they couldn’t find him, they got in boats and journeyed to Capernaum. There they found Him. The events that took place the day before hasn’t led to their faith in Jesus. They were looking for another free meal. They looked to Jesus as the source of something free, easy and delightful. Jesus saw that. He refused to feed them anymore. Their hearts were not right. The Lord used the occasion to talk about commitment and discipleship, something they didn’t understand and many today do not either. The chapter tells us later on that many went home. They left Jesus. Disappointed in Jesus. Probably complaining about Jesus. Still happens today. If Jesus doesn’t do what I think He should, we complain about the Holy One of Israel. Can you imagine?

The theme in John 6 is similar to the theme in the book of Job. Job is not about suffering, it is about commitment to God. Will a person follow God because He is God or because of all the blessings God gives him? Take away the blessings, take away financial security, family, health, leave him broken and hurting with nothing left and then will He still cling to God? That was the debate then. That is the discussion in John 6. And that is the thought for us.

Why does a person go to church services? Because they have to? Because all their friends are there? Because they like how it makes them feel? Or, perhaps, because of God? Why make righteous decisions? Because we want to go to Heaven? What if there was no Heaven? Would that change things? Would we follow God because He is God and is worthy of all that we have or because of the blessings He gives us?

It’s easy to thumb the multitudes in John 6 as being shallow, self seeking and not committed to Jesus. It’s hard to hold the mirror up and realize we could be just like that at times. Nearly every day my phone rings with someone wanting the church to pay their rent or utility bill or give them some food. If the answer is not favorable, most, again MOST, hang up. They do not even say “goodbye.” Give me what I want or I have no need for you.

Jesus wants us to follow Him because He is God. He wants our commitment based upon faith not blessings. He is not going to buy your allegiance, nor sweeten the deal, like a car dealer, to such a point that we can’t resist signing up for Jesus. He wants you to look at all the things before you in the Scriptures—the fulfillment of prophecy, His words, His character, His wisdom, His miracles, His promises and then to decide to follow Jesus because He is the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

We sing a song, “I have decided to follow Jesus…” Why? Because He’s been good to you? Because He’s given you everything you want? Or, perhaps because He is what He said.

His words are right. His promises are true. His way is pure. His desire for you is noble and righteous. His way will help your marriage. His way will destroy the guilt of your past. His way will pull you out of the ditch of despair, addiction, and habitual sin. His way makes the best relationships. His way involves forgiveness, grace, hope, and thinking of others first. His way brings peace. His way is being a servant to others. His way is helping others.

I have decided to follow Jesus? Really? During the storms upon the sea? When the free food stops? When others point their fingers and ridicule? When it’s popular and when it’s not? I have decided to follow Jesus…

There are those who actually saw Jesus and heard His voice and ate the food that He made miraculously yet they turned their backs and went home. Back to a world of darkness and despair. Back to killing lambs and hoping for a Messiah. Back to the prison of sin and brokenness. They stepped into the sunshine of hope and freedom, but returned to the prison of darkness. Happened then. It happens now.

Some expect Jesus to fix their kids. When He doesn’t, they walk away from Jesus. Fix my husband’s attitude—when He doesn’t, they turn away. Heal mama’s cancer. When it doesn’t happen, away from Jesus they go. Find me a job…get me out of trouble…do this, do that—in the N.T. we read, tell my brother to give me my share of the inheritance…give us more food. When Jesus wouldn’t do those things, people were through with Jesus. He didn’t do what they wanted.

I wonder if they ever turned that thought around…Jesus, being through with us because we don’t do what He wanted?

I have decided to follow Jesus…really? Even if the free food stops? Jesus hopes so. Jesus wants that. He wants you to decide to follow Him, not because of the blessings, but because He is worthy.  I have decided…

Roger

 

 

08

Jump Start # 600

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 600

Psalms 86:12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.

Today marks another milestone for our Jump Starts—# 600. Six hundred is a bunch—no matter what you are counting. Our Jump Start community continues to grow and grow. What started as an experiment to get folks back to the Bible has swelled to something much larger than I ever expected. I never thought I’d still be writing these every morning after a month, let alone a year later.

A few thanks and then on to our verse. Thanks to those who read these. I hear from so many and often I don’t know where they live but some how something that they read helped them. The folks at home where I preach have read nearly every one of these. They continue to pass these on to friends and the circle of readers continues to grow. Thank you. These writings were never intended to explain nor answer the deep questions of our faith. Instead, they were to be simple encouragements, like a daily vitamin, that adds some basic nourishment for our souls.

Our verse today reminds us that God is good to us. God has not removed Himself from us. He has sent His word into our world and is working around us and through us, if we allow that. God’s name is wonderful. It stands for what is right and good. It stands for something beyond us. It is holy.

To glorify God’s name is to glorify God himself. He is deserving of that.

We glorify God’s name through worship. We must remind ourselves that church services are not about us. When someone says, “I don’t get anything out of it,” maybe they ought to be asking, “Am I putting anything into it?” Worship is about honoring God. It is recognizing His “worth.” When we sing, we ought to sing out. God is good. When we pray, we ought to bow the head and open the heart. God is good. God’s word needs to be studied, taught and followed. It’s a powerful word. It’s an amazing story. It’s for us. God is good.

We glorify God’s name by respecting His name. Have you ever noticed how many times folks say the name “God” ? It comes up in nearly every sentence. When they hear something unbelievable, they’ll say God’s name. When something exciting happen, out comes God’s name. When something shocking happens, God’s name. This is so common that there is an abbreviation that many use in texting—OMG. The problem with most of this is that they are not thinking about God, honoring God, nor praising God. They simply don’t know what to say, so they say, God. I love hearing people saying God’s name, if they mean it. When they say it because they have a shallow vocabulary or are using it in a blasphemous way, shame on them. God is bigger, better and holier than that. He deserves better. We glorify God’s name by including God in our conversation. Instead of saying, “It’s a nice day,” try, “Hasn’t God given us a wonderful day.” When asked, “how are you doing?” respond, “God has been good to me.” These ways glorify God. They include God and remind you that God is in your life.

We glorify God by standing for Him, defending Him, and sharing His message. God is big. He can take the hits that the world throws Him, but it’s good for us to decide which side we are going to be on. God’s message is a gospel—good news. It’s a message of hope, faith and promise. It belongs to the world. It is intended for the world. Tell others of Jesus. Tell others of the God of the Bible. Doing this glorifies God.

In some ways, that is what our Jump Starts have tried to accomplish. These have been a medium to connect, reflect, and remind us of God and how good He is to us.

One of the best ways we glorify God is by living for Him every day. Making the godly choice, not the easy one. Doing the things that builds faith and helps you stay on course for Heaven glorifies God. When God is removed from our conscience man resorts to being an animal, living on impulses that have no regard for others. Nearly every community has these sad reminders. When I was growing up it was the infield of the Indy 500. It was a gathering of people for the sole purpose of seeing how immoral and debased they could become. It had nothing to do with racing. Those involved called it “partying.” It was a drunken opportunity to see how stupid people could become. Rock concerts are often just like that. Remove God. Turn off the conscience. This is what happens. It doesn’t bring out the best of a person. It doesn’t help mankind. It is a journey of waste, stupidity, and shame. Glorifying God is done each day by making wise choices. Living righteously. A person can go to a concert and not take their clothes off or leave drunk or high. Living righteously— everywhere. At home. At work. On vacation. Making choices that glorify God.

God is good. He is good to each of us. Someday this journey will end. Someday we will be in His presence. Those who have chosen to glorify Him and walk with Him will find Heaven. The best is yet to come. God has been good to us. Glorify His name!

Roger

 

04

Jump Start # 598

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 598

Luke 24:32 “And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

This week we have been looking at the reforms led by Nehemiah. He restored the walls around the city of Jerusalem. He then turned his attention to restoring the true faith in the hearts of Israel. To do that, they had to get back to following God. A corrupted view of things, no matter how passionate a person is, will remain crooked. Israel had to get back to the Law.

Those thoughts ought to be of interest and concern for us. Many churches today, many individuals today, need a boost in their faith. They literally need a Jump Start. Sadly, the option some turn to is external, temporary, and emotional. In doing this they equate feelings with faith. If a person “feels” good, then they have faith. The two are not the same. Faith is substance. It is based upon the word of God. Feelings come and go. Food, moods, weather and people all affect our feelings. Our feelings can change quickly. We can be calm and then in a moment we can be all stirred up, upset and excited about things. Feelings can be misleading. You can feel something is right but be wrong, this is why GPS’s were invented. We thought we knew where we were, but we were lost. Feelings can do that. They can do that with directions, they can do that with salvation.

Faith is different. It’s something you can put your hands on. There is evidence and proofs to our faith.

Our verse today shows Jesus explaining to the two men on the road who He is. Jesus had been resurrected. The men were walking away from Jerusalem. They were heading home. They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah. He was crucified. Their dreams were crushed. They didn’t know about the resurrection. Worse, they didn’t know that they were walking and talking with Jesus.

Jesus used Scripture to explain who He was. Interesting. He could have easily preformed a miracle. That would have been impressive. These two men would still have questions about the role the Messiah played and the kingdom. Jesus, using Scripture taught them. He explained who He was and what the role of the Messiah was. They got it. They understood. They connected O.T. prophecy to Jesus. They saw and grasped that Jesus was the Messiah. They had faith.

Their wonderful response was, “our hearts were burning within us while He was explaining the Scriptures to us.” They had eager hearts to learn. Their minds were opened. They were hungry and thirsty for righteous ways.

The steps back to God must begin with the Word of God—the Bible. Reform, restoration, repentance begins with a call back to Scriptures. Leaving the Bible out will only produce a shallow, empty reform that will not last. Worse, it will not please God.

  • Broken marriages must go back to the Bible to begin the steps of repair.
  • Strained relationships must learn about grace and forgiveness from the Bible if any hope remains of making things better.
  • Those who have left God can return as they go back and learn what God requires.

Give me the Bible is more than a song we sing in worship, it’s the way it is. Give me the Bible. Give it to me when I need to come home to God. Give it to me when I’ve sinned. Give it to me when I am discouraged. Give it to me when I am alone. Give it to me when my feelings change and I no longer know how I feel. Give it to me when I must walk through those long, dark valleys of life.

Nehemiah understood that the way back to God begins with teaching the Law. We understand the way back begins with the Bible. We do not need less Bible—it’s more that we need. The more we spend with God’s word, the greater our faith will be.

Burning hearts…listening ears…the teaching Jesus… Scripture… faith… reform… connection… hope…God.

Roger