21

Jump Start # 2946

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2946

1 Peter 5:2 “Shepherd the flock of God among you, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.”

Lately, we have focused several of our Jump Starts upon the work of shepherds. There is a need for that and the more we try to improve the better things ought to be. I know a preacher recently who has just been preaching his heart out lately. He’s been on the road and in some challenging situations. He is giving it his all. The people he has been with have been so grateful and kind to him. But when he returned home, hardly a word was said. His shepherds paid no attention to how much he has been working in the kingdom, nor how he has gone out of his way to do things that made the added touch. Nothing. No compliments. No thankfulness for his dedication. And, in listening to him it made me realize of yet another component of shepherding that is rarely discussed.

God’s arrangement and order of leadership in the church is directed by males. Both Timothy and Titus makes that very plain. “If any man…” not only eliminates children, but it eliminates women. But herein is the challenge before us. So many men keep things to themselves. Men tend to be action based and not feeling. Put on a Hallmark Christmas movie, and men are bored and the women are grabbing the tissues. Women talk. Men don’t. Women share their insides. Men don’t.

And, so, how can a group of male leaders understand, connect and help when they may not excel in expressing feelings and emotions? How can they notice what needs to be done, when such things do not cross their radars? As long as the preacher is paid well, what else does he need? Very business like. Very professional. Very corporate. And, what that preacher may need, as so many others in the congregation, is that emotional support. Money is nice, but so is love expressed and work appreciated. How can a group of men understand what a young mother is going through? How can a group of men understand the needs of a widow?

Some might be thinking that I am building a strong argument for having female leaders. That is the solution that many have turned to. Guys don’t get it. Guys just can’t be touchy feely. With a balance of male and female leaders, the whole of the church can be taken care of. That sure seems logical. It makes sense, at least to us. But there is no Biblical leg to stand on. There is no example of female leadership in the church. Yes, there were some who were servants and others who risked their necks for the kingdom, but in the capacity of elder or shepherd, we don’t find anything. We must be careful of substituting our thoughts and logic for the will of God. What makes sense to us, may not be what the Lord wants.

So, we are back to the problem. How can men provide the emotional help for others? We have a hymn, “Does Jesus care?” We know the answer to that. Even the hymn provides the answer. “Yes, He cares.” But how about the male leaders in the congregation? Do they care? Do they show that they care?

Here are a few things to consider:

First, it is interesting that shepherds are to be married. Maybe right there the beginning of help is found. The wife of the shepherd can remind him and help him to think of areas that he has overlooked. Maybe he can bounce some things off of her. Compassion is something that all of us can learn. Caring is not a male or female issue, but a faith issue. Follow up with people. Check in on them and ask how they are doing. After the funeral. After the divorce. After the child moves away. Life goes on for most of us, but for some, time stands still. Put on a heart of compassion is something that men can do. God said so.

Second, remember that golden rule. Maybe you felt there should have been a thank you coming your way, but it didn’t. Maybe you thought a “that’a boy” was deserved, but no one noticed. Rather than sulking, be sure that you are the one who is the cheerleader for others. The Lord knows and that’s always what matters the most. Heaven sees and Heaven doesn’t forget. That cup of cold water, as insignificant as that may seem to be, is recognized in Heaven.

Third, put yourself in the shoes of others. Because you are doing ok, doesn’t mean others are. We are not wired the same. We are not in the same place spiritually. Our needs are not the same. Don’t assume that others are ok. Don’t assume that others will reach out if there is a problem. Most never do. But they will remember that no one called them. No one looked after them. No one was there.

Fourth, God tells us to be tender–hearted. That may be tough for some. That may require a lot of work for some. Rough is not the way to go. Running over people isn’t the Biblical approach. Tender, careful, gentle, even in correcting. Even in discipline. Even in dealing with troublesome people. Now the people we are working with likely will not be that way. They may be loud, closed minded, aggressive, threatening and demanding. God’s shepherds won’t be that way. Calm cools down a heated discussion. Love lessens the threats. Caring builds bridges.

For the preacher who felt neglected by his shepherds, my advice is to keep busting it for the Lord. Give 100%. It’s not the praise of man you are seeking, but the honor of the Lord. Too much praise, like too much sugar, can just ruin something good.

Men who lead need to get out of their comfort zones. They need to consider the emotional side of things. They can do this, because God has put them in that position. God bless those who understand this and working on this.

Roger

20

Jump Start # 2945

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2945

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together unless they agree?”

Our verse today comes from a series of questions that the Lord through the prophet Amos is trying to get the nation to see. Walking—we do that every day. In the neighborhoods people take walks. In our parks there are paths and trails to walk.

Genesis tells us that both Enoch and Noah walked with God. Today, we are to ‘walk in the light’ (1 Jn 1:7), ‘walk in the newness of life’ (Rom 6:4), ‘walk by faith’ (2 Cor 5:7), ‘walk by the Spirit’ (Gal 5:16), ‘walk in a worthy manner’ (Eph 4:1), ‘walk in love’ (Eph 5:2), ‘walk as children of light’ (Eph 5:8), walk as ‘wise’ (Eph 5:15), ‘walk according to the pattern’ (Phil 3:17), and ‘walk in Him’ (Col 2:6).

That’s a lot of walking! Just what does it mean to walk with the Lord?

First, we must go the same direction as God is going. It’s not a matter of God following us, but instead, we follow God. There are many who want to walk with God, but they expect God to tag along as they go down the dark road of sin and moral decay. You won’t find God there. He won’t follow you. Either you walk where God is going, or you walk alone.

Second, there are some who want to stop when God keeps going. I get this when I take a walk in the neighborhood with my little grandchildren. At first, they are bursting with eagerness and are nearly running. But it doesn’t take long for their little legs to get tired. We usually pull a wagon with us because before we get back home, one or more of them are in that wagon. Some want the ‘love’ stuff of the Bible, but they don’t want the commitment parts. They’ve stopped and God has kept on going. Others, like the helping others, but not that light of the world stuff. Some don’t want forgiveness. Some want to worship when there is nothing else going on. The problem is, there is always something going on. Oh, they want to walk with God, but they want to stop when God is still going.

Third, obviously, there are those who want to keep going when the Lord has stopped. God stops with His definition of marriage. Some want to go further than God has. God has specifics about moral behavior. Some want to go beyond that. Some want to be as worldly, carnal, and, immoral as it suits them, yet be Heaven bound. God has stopped, but they have kept going. Many do this doctrinally. Many do this morally. Many do this with the purpose and function of the church. Never satisfied with what God has established, they want to improve upon it. They view the Bible as being fluid, changing, evolving and never, ever stopping. No absolutes, because that’s a stop sign. Wrong for you, may be ok for me. And what I think is wrong, is only wrong for me. I cannot tell others that it’s wrong for them. That’s an absolute. That’s a red light. Modern thinkers and modern churches want to keep progressing. On they go, even though God has stopped. And, before long, they turn around and God is no longer in sight. They have left Him and now they are on their own.

To walk with God is to let God take the lead. He sets the direction, not us. He determines which way we go, not us. He sets the pace, not us. He determines when we stop, not us. He decides how far we travel, not us. We need to appreciate and understand, that walking with God often takes us to lion’s dens, prison cells, fiery furnaces, dark valleys, stormy seas, and challenging times. Those who have little tolerance for inconvenience won’t do well. Those who must have comfort and all the attention likely will struggle. The winds blow. The water rises. The storm howls throughout the night. Another trip to the hospital. Another funeral to arrange. Another sleepless night. Another difficult conversation. Another encounter with meanness. And, some wonder why? Some begin to question. But others realize that they are still following the Lord. For Jesus, that path took Him to Calvary and a cross.

I have little tolerance for the crowd that jokingly says, “I love Jesus,” while a beer is in their hand and before the night ends, they will be committing fornication. Their Jesus is an idol that they created. Their Jesus is not the holy God of the Bible. They may jump up and down and squeal, “I love Jesus,” but will they follow Him? Will they follow Him into holiness? Will they follow Him into Biblical worship? Will they follow Him into denying themselves and taking up their cross? Will they walk only where the Lord walks?

It’s easy to see how others fumble at this, but what about myself? Do I walk with God into forgiving those who bother me? Do I walk with God in putting a lid on my temper? Do I walk with God in being kind, generous and a servant to others?

Can two walk together unless they are agreed? You want to go left and I want to go right. Either we walk alone, going our own separate ways, or one of us goes along with the other and we walk together. With God, it’s always the bending of our ways to be with Him. He knows us. He knows what’s best for us.

To walk with God is to go the same direction God is going…

Roger

19

Jump Start # 2944

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2944

Matthew 16:26 “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Our verse today is familiar to so many of us. We’ve heard preachers use this passage over and over. It’s a good one. And, it does us well to take a look at some of the layers that are present in this verse.

First, the passage consists of two questions. Jesus doesn’t give the answer to those questions. It’s the type of question that has an obvious answer. It doesn’t need to be answered, because we all know the answer. So, what are the answers? What value is there if you got it all, but you lost your soul? Jesus is reminding us that our soul, created in the image of God is worth more than everything else. Everything. Put everything on one side of a balance scale and our soul on the other, and the scale would always tip to our soul.

Second, what Jesus presents is really an impossibility. No one can gain it all. Oh, through the centuries many have lived and died as if they could have it all, but they can’t. No one can. No one can own all the land on the planet. It’s impossible. No one can have everything. Also, so much of the world isn’t for sale. It’s not ours to have. We sing, “This is my Father’s world.” The planet is God’s. He has cattle on a thousand hills, the Psalms tells us. You can’t own every book. You can’t have every action figure. You can’t get every movie. It’s just not possible.

Third, there is a divine perspective that brings us to reality. Gaining it all, but forfeiting the most valuable is a terrible exchange. This is not about quantity—one soul contrasted with the whole world. It’s about value. Losing your soul is the worst thing that can happen to any one. It’s worse than cancer. It’s worse than dying. It’s worse than being alone. It’s worse than never checking off your bucket list. It’s worse than never fulfilling your dreams.

The difference between priceless and worthless is perspective. Value is determined by how much it costs to produce, how rare something is and what it means to someone. A plain piece of paper with a stick figure drawn on it doesn’t hold much value. Try selling that on EBay. Try taking that to the art museum. However, if we say that Walt Disney drew that stick figure, suddenly the value changes. If we say that Michelangelo drew that stick figure picture, the value explodes. Or, if we say that your child or grandchild drew that picture, while it may not mean anything to anyone else, you wouldn’t take anything for that. Priceless or worthless? It’s a matter of perspective.

So, plugging that thought into our verse today, for many in the world gaining everything is it. They will define life by how many cars they own, how much square footage there house is, where they have vacationed and the labels that are on their clothes. From an earthly perspective, they have it all. They are on top of the mountain. The newest, the biggest, the most expensive—they have it. They love to flaunt what they have. They love it when others ooze with envy. They want others to wish that they were like them. But their whole world is about stuff. Their definitions are qualified by stuff. The more stuff the better, is how their minds work. We have it all, is what they want. But that hasn’t been thought out very well. It never is.

What happens when that person is too old to drive all those cars? Or, he can’t climb the stairs in his massive house? Or, all he wants to do is sleep all day and the size of that TV no longer matters? What happens when he dies? What happens when the Lord comes and all those things are destroyed? Such a person is living a perspective that is built upon now and has no room for later. It is built upon physical and has no room for the spiritual. It is built upon self and has no room for God. It is a perspective, but it’s not a divine perspective. If such a person could live decades and decades at the same age he is, he might be on to something. But he can’t. And, even at that, some day he’ll meet God, face to face.

I read a very sad commentary upon modern society a while back when the question was asked, “What would you do for a million dollars?” The responses were illegal, immoral and selfish. A percentage would sell their own children for a million dollars. A greater percentage would be unfaithful in their marriage for a million dollars. Some would even kill a stranger for a million dollars. I wonder what the answers would be if I could ask some questions? Would you give up drinking the rest of your life for a million dollars? Would you change your ways for a million dollars? Would you follow Christ the rest of your life for a million dollars?

Two words about the soul that comes out of our passage are: forfeiting and exchanging. To forfeit is to surrender or give over or give up. To exchange is to trade one thing for another. In both words, the soul is lost. The soul is given up. The value of the soul doesn’t mean anything.

What a contrast to the pearl merchant who sold everything he had when he found the pearl of great price. Or, the rich man, when in torments, was begging for a drop of water. The value of the soul. When financial analysists determine your net worth, the soul is never included. When people look at their 401’s, the soul is not considered.

The most precious thing you have is your soul. It will transcend your death. It is something that you did nothing to gain, but can be exchanged for the simplest of Satan’s charms. God gave you the soul that you have. Protect it. Guard it. Honor it. Keep it healthy. Feed it. Be thankful for it. Please the Lord with it.

What will a give…that is the question of the ages.

Roger

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Jump Start # 2943

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2943

Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

One of the roles of God’s shepherds is to protect the people entrusted to them. Protection brings a sense of comfort and ease to our hearts. When a storm is ragging loudly in the night, a child may crawl in bed between his parents. The storm is still making noise, but the presence of the parents brings a comfort of love, security and safety. The child falls back to sleep.

As today’s shepherds look over the flock, there are so many different factors and areas that they need to consider to help the church remain safe, strong and moving forward with the Lord.

First, there are physical concerns. This is touchy, but I’m going to open this door. Through the pandemic shepherds had to make the tough call to do what they felt was best for their people. Some services were cancelled. Some didn’t understand why. Some have said some awful things of which they will have to answer to God about. Many things have been said on social media that should never have been there. The elders who made that call were only trying to keep their people safe. On other times, they may cancel services because of snow storms or hurricanes. It’s not politics that drives this, but the love of the people. Once, when we were in Kansas City, as our Wednesday night services were ending, a SWAT team was outside of building with guns drawn. They were looking for someone. The SWAT leader came into the building and asked if we could stay inside until the situation was clear. We did. It was a call to protect the people. Some congregations have hired security or policemen during services. It is to keep us safe.

Second, there are doctrinal concerns. There’s a lot of stuff floating around that just isn’t Biblical. When some start paying attention to those things and begin to get wiggly in their thinking, it’s time for shepherds to protect the flock. Some of the junk out there is put out by our brethren who either need to study more, post less, or else they have an agenda and that’s scary. There may come a time when specific names, podcasts, books are named as being poisonous, dangerous and unhealthy to our spiritual wellbeing. Some wouldn’t like that. But it’s the job of the shepherds to protect us. Sometimes sheep do not recognize good grass from dangerous weeds. As a parent, I had to send a neighborhood child home who was getting too mouthy and disrespectful. I did that to protect my children. We wouldn’t let them watch any show. We checked what books they were reading. All of this was to protect them.

Third, there are emotional concerns. This often comes from within. Discouraging attitudes, gossipy tongues, back biting, putting leaders down, trying to undermine the good others are doing, and even offensive and prejudicial comments should have no place among God’s people. I believe much too often we give each other a pass when that shouldn’t be done. We have a standard to live up to and we need to do that. We don’t help each other spiritually when we look the other way when things are said that should never be said. That’s wrong. Offending brethren is serious. It’s enough to make some stop coming. It can send visitors running away. And, we just put up with the ole’ brother because he’s old and that’s just the way he is. Well, that’s just not right in my book and it’s especially not right in God’s book. I don’t care how old he is, he needs to straighten up and hush up. Allowing inappropriate comments, whether said in a Bible class or in conversations hurts the church. We are disciples of Christ. We are not a “good ole’ boys club” where rude, crude and offensive things are laughed off. Shepherds need to protect the flock. Wounded feelings are hard to heal. The wounds seem to stay fresh when it appears that nothing is ever done.

We come from different backgrounds. We have different stories. We have different histories. We have different needs. We need to try to stand in the shoes of others. Something may seem awkward to me, but be totally out of bounds to someone else. What I think is no big deal, may be the very thing that shatters a fragile faith. A woman who grew up in a sexually abusive home may take real offensive and really be bothered by some things others say. Not thinking about that, hurts others. We must be mindful of others. Calling the denominations dumb only hurts those who have family members still in denominations. The sensitive training that major corporations have gone through probably has pushed the envelop too far, but a lack of sensitivity among us can undermine all the preaching and good that a congregation is trying to do. Not everyone grew up in this fellowship. Not everyone knows the ‘in house’ words we all understand. Be thoughtful. Be kind. Let your speech be seasoned with grace is what the apostles said. Coming across rough, abrasive and mean doesn’t fit in with the Gospel message.

And, shepherding includes having to deal with those kinds of things among us. We can be just like kids. You remember. Your sister said, “You’re ugly.” You replied, “You’re dumb.” Back and forth the insults went until one really touched a nerve and off to mom one of us went. We complained that the other called us a mean name. And our poor moms had to iron out the disputes and trouble that we caused. Our moms must have thought, ‘why can’t they just be nice and play together.’ And, I wonder if the shepherds think, ‘Why can’t they just be nice and worship together?’

Protecting—that’s not easy work. It means getting in the trenches. It’s hearing both sides of stories. It’s making the call that may not be popular. It’s driven by love. At the core, the shepherd wants the sheep to be safe. Safe: physically, doctrinally, spiritually and emotionally. Wolves, poison and danger can be found everywhere, even among us.

Bless our shepherds. Thank you, Lord for keeping us safe.

Roger

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Jump Start # 2942

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2942

Luke 10:33-34  “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

 

At the core of Christianity and our faith is service. Helping others. Teaching others. Being an example to others. Making things better than we found them. Jesus was the master of this. When needed, He went. He improved the lives of so many. He demonstrated service by washing the feet of the disciples.

There are four elements to serving. All four are necessary.

First, there must be a need. Without a need, you have nothing to serve.

Second, there must be an awareness of that need. The need may be there, but if you do not know about it, then you won’t serve. This is where good communication within a congregation is vital. Announcements given in worship are times to get out you pen and paper and write down things. These are opportunities to serve.

Third, you must have the resources to serve. There may be a need and you may know about it, but if you are not in the position to do anything, then nothing will get done.

Fourth, you must have a heart that cares. The first three elements can be present, but if you don’t care, then you won’t do anything.

Now, in our verse today, you see these four elements coming together. There was an injured man on the road. That’s the need. The Samaritan “came upon him.” That’s the awareness. Now he knows. “He felt compassion.” That’s the heart. Then he “bandaged up his wounds, poured oil and wine on them” and “took care of him.” That’s resources.

In contrast, when you read about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, three of the four elements of serving are present. Lazarus was sick. That’s the need. He was laid at the rich man’s gate. That’s awareness. The rich man ate well every day. That’s resources. What’s missing was the heart. The rich man ignored Lazarus. And, because the heart was missing, no service was given. Lazarus died. The rich man was found guilty of neglect because he did nothing when he could have helped out.

And, before us are those same four elements of service. Whether it’s a new mom home from the hospital, someone who has had surgery or battling cancer, a co-worker who has questions about the Bible, or a neighbor who needs help moving a couch. Service. Lending a helping hand. Need. Awareness. Resources. Heart. When those four things come together, great things are done. Lights shine. People are helped. Goodness is demonstrated. But when one or more is lacking, then people question our faith, wonder about our love and see a coldness and indifference to us.

So all of this points to some things that can help us serve.

First, keep your eyes and ears open. The awareness of needs is very rarely is asked. People would rather do things themselves, even when they can’t. So don’t wait to be asked. Take some food over. Take a new family from church out to eat. Ask that co-worker if they are doing ok. The Galatians were told, “As we have opportunity, let us do good…” Opportunities are there, but often we either do not see them, or we see them too late.

Second, have resources so you can help. If we are always running broke and spending everything we bring in, then we will never be in the position to help others. You do not have to take care of all of their needs, just do what you can. A gift card to a college student can sure make his day. Pitching in and going in with others can add up to help someone’s medical bills. Many would love to help, but they lack the resources.

Third, you have to care. Without the heart, nothing will get done. If all you ever think about is yourself, nothing will get done. God wants us to love all. And, that all includes the lepers, Samaritans and tax collectors of our day. Don’t be stingy with your generosity, love and compassion. Don’t keep your heart in house. The Samaritan in our verse felt compassion for the injured man, likely a Jew. He probably didn’t know him. He probably didn’t know what happened. None of those things mattered. Here was a need. The Samaritan had resources. The Samaritan cared. That’s all it takes for someone to jump into action and do what they can.

How many times do we hear someone saying, “Well, I didn’t know that they needed anything.” Could it be that we didn’t try to find out? Could it be that we were hoping that someone else would take care of that? Could it be that we need to think long and hard about our heart and our love for others? Could it be that we’ve forgotten the golden rule and failed to see the steps of our Savior?

Need—Awareness-Resources-Heart…the Samaritan had it and the rich man didn’t. How about you?

Roger