16

Jump Start # 3090

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3090

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice”

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about forgiveness. And, it seems that whenever one writes or preaches about that topic, many questions surface. This forgiving stuff is hard. Our culture and society doesn’t encourage forgiving. Commercial after commercial on TV are about lawsuits. Been in a car wreck, call this attorney. Taken this medicine, call this attorney.

One of our readers asked me to write some additional thoughts on the topic of forgiveness. In Luke 17, which was the basis of the earlier Jump Start on forgiveness, Jesus said if someone sins against you seven times in a day and repents, forgive him. Now, the question before us, “What if the person doesn’t repent?” Or, “what if they vaguely repent,” such as, “If I have hurt anyone I apologize.” “If?” So, I suppose if no one was hurt, then the person doesn’t apologize. What are we to do if a person doesn’t repent? What is our response if a person doesn’t apologize?

Let’s put some thoughts to this:

First, the way I hear some present this, one gets the impression that they hope the person doesn’t apologize. It seems it gives them a right to not be nice. Forgiveness is a choice. Although it is commanded by God and expected among His people, it remains a choice. Some things are easier to forgive than other things. It helps to understand what forgiveness is NOT:

  • Forgiveness is not denial. Just putting the pain out of your mind doesn’t mean you have forgiven the person. Refusing to talk about the incident, or take the steps to make things better is not forgiveness.
  • Forgiveness is not reconciliation. It takes one to forgive. It takes two for reconciliation to take place.
  • Forgiveness is not avoiding or ignoring a person. I’ve been with a person in a store when he saw someone coming down the isle that he had an issue with. He turned and went the other way. That’s not forgiveness.
  • Forgiveness is not saying, “It’s alright.” It’s not alright. A sin was committed and you were hurt. That’s never right. It’s not right with you and it’s not right with God. Not wanting to deal with confrontation has led many people to just suffer silently.

Second, our verse today, well illustrates what happens to us internally when we do not forgive. The pain consumes us. It messes us up on the inside. We can’t move on and we can’t move past what happened. We feel compelled to tell others. Bitterness, anger, wrath are the natural results that comes from a heart that has been hurt. It takes forgiveness to heal. It takes forgiveness to move on. Let’s be honest. There are many bitter Christians today. They are that way because they have never forgiven. It’s hard to worship when someone a few pews away has hurt us. I’ve known folks who purposely go out other doors of the church house just so they do not have to encounter the person that hurt them. And for some, this goes on for decades.

Third, the choice of forgiveness lies within me, not the person who hurt me. If I say that I can only forgive you if you repent, then what happens if you never repent? NEVER. That means you continue to control the situation. You continue to hurt me. It’s on your time table. Whenever you decide to repent, it is then that I must forgive. And, during this time, bitterness, anger, wrath remain within me. One writer described forgiveness as a key. And when he unlocked the door, he found that he had been the prisoner all this time.

Now, the problem with this is that some will say that God doesn’t operate this way. If we do not repent, we will perish, is what Jesus said. There is no forgiveness from God if there is no godly sorrow on our part. Yet, how can I say that it is possible for us to choose to forgive if the other party will not repent. I say this because of our verse today. I say this because I refuse to let the hurting party continue to control the situation. I say this because it is driven by love. I say this because I do not want bitterness and anger to fill my heart. I say this because I want to move on.

So, here is a person and they will not apologize. They refuse to repent. They will not admit that they did anything wrong. Arrogantly, they say we have the problem, not them. There is no change in their life. What are we to do?

First, I’d forgive. I’d let it go. I would put that pain in an unmarked grave and I would not revisit it. Clara Barton, the early advocate for women nurses, was torn apart by a scathing editorial. She was attending a banquet where that editor was going to be. A friend reminded her of this. She replied, “I distinctly remember forgetting that.” Forgiveness is a choice. You can keep picking the scab or you can let the wound heal.

Second, I would put some distance between me and that person. Being unapologetic, I would not give him another opportunity to hurt me further. I will pray for him. I will care for him. I can even worship with him. But his heart is not right and for now, I need some healing. Some people you can only love from a distance because of the way they are.

Third, I’d pray hard for myself that I do not think evil, allow bitterness to consume me and have a hard heart towards this person. Time, forgiveness and prayer are great medicines for a hurting heart. As you heal, try to do more with the hurting person. I have found that kindness and love can melt a hard heart. I’ve known some, years later, who with tears running down their faces, came and apologized for being so cruel to a person. They could not understand how the victim continued to be kind, thoughtful and helpful.

These things are hard for us. In a perfect world, no one would hurt anyone. And, it that happened, immediately the person would apologize and beg for a second chance. Forgiveness would be offered and everything would be great. But our world is not perfect. We hurt each other. Sometimes we do not realize that we have hurt others. When we do, we must be quick to make things right.

Do I have to forgive someone who won’t repent? Forgiveness is a choice. It is to choose healing. It is to choose Christ. It is to choose making things better. What’s the other option? Thinking badly towards someone? Leaving a congregation? Telling others? Revenge? None of those choices are good.

Put all bitterness out…forgiveness is the door which opens and allows bitterness to leave.

Roger

13

Jump Start # 3089

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3089

Mark 5:19 “And He did not let him but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’”

Our verse today comes at the end of the powerful miracle of Jesus when He cast legions of demons into pigs and then the pigs rushed into the sea and drowned. There were 2,000 pigs that died. The demon possessed man, described vividly as naked, bloody, and crazed. He would scream. He was living in a cemetery. But he encountered Jesus. Now, sitting down, clothed and reasonable and sensible, this man illustrates layers and layers of change in his life.

Now, demon free, this man wants to go with Jesus. Who wouldn’t? But that wasn’t the plan Jesus had for him. “Go home,” is what the Lord told him. Go home to your people and tell them what the Lord has done. And, right here, in these simple words, we have one of the first examples of evangelism. Oh, the things this once possessed man likely didn’t know. I doubt he could explain the concept of the trinity. Predestination, sanctification, the role of shepherds, the ending of spiritual gifts, the second coming, maybe even Jesus’ resurrection, major themes in our Bibles, yet, very likely he didn’t have a clue about those things. He had not sat in a 13 week Bible class about personal evangelism. He didn’t have a handful of tracts to pass out.

But what we see is that this is one of the very first persons that Jesus allowed to tell the story. Most often, before this and even after this, Jesus would say, “Do not tell.” Here, go home to your people and tell them. And, this simple story ought to rock our theories about evangelism. Maybe we’ve made it too complicated. Maybe we have spent so much time defining and defeating Calvinism, Premillennialism, Catholicism, humanism and any other “ism” that we can come up with that people just don’t know where to start. Go home to your people. I like that. Our people know us. Our people have seen us grow up. Our people have seen us change. If we can’t talk to our people, how will we ever talk to a stranger?

Consider some thoughts here:

First, this demon possessed man would certainly look differently than what he once was. Had any of his family seen him during the possessed years, he was naked, bloody and screaming. Not now. Those days are over. And, for you and I, it may not be naked and bloody, but drunk and high. Or, it may be broke and jobless. Or, it may be selfish and obscene. Or, immodest and cursing. Or, dishonest and lying. And, what our families ought to notice immediately is that we are not that way anymore. Decent. Kind. Thankful. Selfless. Helpful. Godly. They ought to see a change in us.

Second, there is a good chance that the possessed man’s family never heard of Jesus. So, their impression of Jesus was going to come from the image that the possessed man presented to them. And, that is just the same for us. Much too often we want to first talk about the church, rather than Jesus. We talk about how nice services are. We brag about our friends at church. We talk about all children at church. But in all of that, where is Jesus? It is not the church that has changed us, but Jesus. The one who has done great things for us is Jesus. The way we present Jesus is the image that many in our family will have. Make sure you color the right picture for them.

Third, the message that the possessed man would offer was to be personal. Tell your people what great things the Lord has done for YOU. Not for Israel. Not in the past. But for you. Some would want to call this a testimonial and then make this much more than what it is. He simply told his family how Jesus drove the demons out of him. This wasn’t done on a Sunday morning before the church. This took place at home, among his people. We may not be able to find a bunch of verses, but we ought to be able to tell someone how the Lord has changed our lives. We ought to see the blessings of the Lord in our lives. In the hymn, Amazing Grace, we find, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” Simple. God has made my life better. Can you tell that to a co-worker? Can you tell that to your siblings?

What has the Lord done for you? Don’t make your answer lofty, big and dotting every “I” and crossing every “T”. Make it personal. What has the Lord done for you?

Evangelism is the only mechanism that the church grows. There is no other way. Every person, in every house, on every street, in every city, in every nation, on every continent needs to hear the message of Jesus. It begins by going home. Tell your family. That’s a starting place.

Roger

12

Jump Start # 3088

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3088

2 Samuel 16:21 “Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.”

Our verse today isn’t one that you’ll find on a greeting card. You’ll likely not see this verse posted on Facebook as a thought for the day. Not this verse. Absalom, the rebel prince, was spinning out of control. And what our verse does, is pull the curtain back and allows us to have a sneak peek into David’s home. And, what a mess we find. The wonderful king of Israel, God’s chosen, the sweet singer, the Psalm writer, the giant killer, the one with a heart for God, had a disaster within his home.

David could rule the nation and the world, but not his own family. Our verse comes at the time that Absalom has had enough. He more than dislikes his father, he sees him as weak. Absalom puts all the pieces together to take over the kingdom. Part of this plan will involve killing his father, but Absalom has no problem with that. When Tamar, David’s daughter was raped, David did nothing. After two years, Absalom killed the rapist, his step-brother. For more than five years, Absalom and David do not talk to each other.

Our verse shows the depth of Absalom’s hatred and the absence of any moral compass in his life. He will engage in sexual relations with David’s concubines on the roof top so everyone can see. Blatant. In your face. Purposely hurtful. Our verse says that the intention was to be “odious” to David.

Odious—not an everyday word.

  • Abhorred (KJV)
  • Stench (ESV)
  • Obnoxious (NIV)
  • Repulsive (CSB)

We get the picture. He was trying to embarrass David. He was trying to shame David. He was trying to hurt David. Now some lessons:

First, the idea of all of this came from Ahithophel, the worthless advisor to Absalom. What does this tell us about who is in our lives? Just who is it that is influencing us and telling us what to do? The more worthless people that are in our lives, the more we are swayed to do things that are not pleasing to the Lord. If I’m serious about Heaven, then I need to be around those who are also serious about Heaven. Much, much too often, we give people a pass because they are “family.” They are allowed to say anything, do anything and no one will have the nerve to say otherwise. “They are family,” is the justification. You don’t pick your family, you pick your friends and those who impact your life.

Got an Ahithophel in your life? Time to put some distance between you and him. He’s not going to help you do what is right. His advice is tainted, worldly and self serving.

Second, Absalom found a common bond in Ahithophel. They were too similar and that’s why they used each other to get what they wanted. Throughout Scriptures you will not find a prayer of Absalom. You don’t find him referring to God. You don’t find him worshipping. Absalom had a great example before him, in David, but he chose to ignore that example and be worthless. Why is it that some hang out with the wrong people? Why is it that some date those who are trouble? Why is it that some marry those who have a long history of selfishness and ungodliness? There is an attraction there. Similar hearts. Similar agendas. Having the heart that wants to serve the Lord is something that must be developed. But it’s very hard to do that, if that person is only hearing that once a week and the other six days a week are spent looking in the other direction.

As much as I love king David, he is not a role model for dads. Maybe he was gone too much fighting wars. Maybe he was too busy running the kingdom. Maybe he had too many wives and too many kids from all those wives and that bred envy, suspicion and selfishness. Out of touch and out of control, the walls came crashing down, even to David’s final breaths when there was a run on who would be the next king.

Third, Absalom had no love for his father. Odious. Stench. Repulsive. That’s what Absalom’s actions did. And, those words describe Absalom’s feelings toward David. Parenting is hard. You can’t be your child’s best friend. Best friends don’t get on each other. Best friends allow each other to do what they want. Parents must have rules. Parents are the authority. Parents are given the charge and the responsibility of raising their children. Because of that, there are days when your child won’t like you. Stick with it. There are things your child wants to do that you will say “No” to. You are building and shaping the character of your child. You have a direction and a goal. You have a plan. You are with God on what your child needs.

By the time of our passage, Absalom is an adult. David missed the opportunity to mold Absalom long before this. Without parental guidance in your child’s life, an Ahithophel will appear and the worst will happen. We are in the seasons of honoring Mother and Father. It is a spirit of love, grace, guidance and God that will shape your child to be useful to God and the community.

Sure are things to pray about in these times…

Roger

11

Jump Start # 3087

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3087

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

Spring time always is a busy and exciting season of the year. The air is warmer, people are out doing things in the yard, and summer is right around the corner. And, every Spring is graduation time. It’s always a big step and it opens the door for the next chapter in a family’s life. Heading off to high school, that’s a big step. Finished with high school, and now on to college. That’s a big step. Got the degree from the University and now it’s time to find a real job. That’s a big step. And, each of these big steps comes with challenges, adjustments, opportunities, new things and the ending of other things.

It’s often hard on moms and dads as their little ones take each of these big steps. Once safe and tucked in their beds at night, our children are off  to universities and we won’t see them every day. The fears and worries rise. Will they do well? Will they remain faithful to the Lord? Every parent experiences those thoughts.

Our verse today is directed towards young Timothy. He wasn’t heading off to school in the fall. Instead, he was out preaching. A young man, away from home, away from his mentor, he was on his own. Some excel and do well. Their character shines and they step up to great opportunities. Others, on their own for the first time, crash. They cave in to peer pressure. They do not develop that self discipline and drive to stay committed to the tasks before them. They look for trouble and most often, they find it.

Paul’s words to this young preacher was simple. Show them what you are made of. You are young. Some may not give you much time because of that. Some may even look down upon you. Just show them. Show them what love, faith and purity look like. Show them this in your behavior. Show them this in your conversations. Let your character speak for itself.

At graduation, some kids can’t wait to get away from home and bust free. The prodigal was like that. Get me out of here and let me do what I want. And, he did. And, what a disaster he got himself into. Broke. Friendless. Helpless. Hopeless. The only thing he could do was go home. And, sadly, for some, this same story will be repeated. Fluked out of college. Kicked out of college. Fired from a job. Arrested. Pregnant. The sad journey home filled with wrong choices, wrong people and wrong influences.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Parenting isn’t a ten minute conversation after you have moved your child into the college dorm. By then, it’s a bit too late if you have not directed, guided and taught your child. The high school years, the college years, the first job and the first apartment can all be wonderful success stories if your child walks daily with the Lord. Spiritual habits such as prayer, Bible study, regular worship can make all the difference in the outcome of these next few years. There is a strong possibility that your child will find someone that they want to marry. That person can be one of the greatest asset to helping them get to Heaven or one of the greatest burdens that keep that from happening. Who to marry? Where to worship? What career to follow? What job to take? These are all powerful choices that are coming very soon to so many families. Now is the time to develop a faith in the Lord and help them to make the best choices.

Most parents thought that when their children were little, that was hard, demanding and never ending. But as they have grown, and now facing these big life choices, parents would gladly have them back at home at a little age.

Paul had confidence in Timothy. As a young man, he was already serving and helping brethren. Paul saw this great ability and wanted Timothy to go with him. Timothy wasn’t lazy. He wasn’t on the fence with his faith. He, as a young man, was already using his faith and making the right choices. These qualities were already being illustrated before Paul showed up.

Graduation time—it’s a moment of great accomplishment and achievement. It’s the doorway for the next chapter in life. Leaving a university with a degree but no faith is not something God’s people want to see. Before a college is chosen, make sure there are good congregations nearby. Visit them. Get to know the people there.

But long before that time, teach, show, involve, illustrate to your child the greatness of the Lord. Talk about these things around the kitchen table. Talk about these things after worship. Talk about these things when the storms of life come. Talk about these things on good days. Following the Lord is the greatest lesson you can give to your child.

Parenting isn’t easy. Hang on. Fasten your seatbelts. Look Heavenward. Pray often.

Several years ago we produced a Jump Start book for Graduates. If you would like one please email me at: Rogshouse@aol.com. This book, as all of our Jump Start books, are free. Be sure to include your mailing address.

Roger

10

Jump Start # 3086

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3086

Jeremiah 6:17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet but they said, ‘We will not listen.’”

Recently, I had a conversation with two different people about how things were going in their congregations. I like to hear success stories. I like to hear ideas that can help us. I want the kingdom to grow and grow and grow. But in both conversations, the tone was dark. Hearts were depressed. Things were not going well. Both individuals, in different places, felt stuck. We talked. Being the one who loves to fix things, offer ideas, suggestions and “have you tried this,” was all put forth. Stuck. Stuck. Stuck. That was the feeling.

Our verse comes to mind, but then it doesn’t. The Jeremiah passage dealt with a nation that was doing wrong. Idolatry had filled the veins and the heart of God’s people. Judgment was swiftly moving their way. It was time to stop and return. They would not. They would not return. They would not listen. They would not change.

The conversations I had wasn’t about churches doing “wrong” things. That’s a completely different conversation. Here, it was putting life into lifelessness. It was moving beyond traditions to a new level of depth, hope and growth. Contentment quickly becomes complacency and that’s where these people were. They could see the potential. They know how great things could be. But very few others saw that. It’s like a school teacher who has a very talented student, but he doesn’t want to excel. What a waste of talent. What opportunities are slipping by.

What can we do, was the plea put before me. Here are some thoughts:

First, grass root movements typically do not fair well in a congregation. Most are viewed as threats to the leadership and are stopped about as quickly as they started. Change needs to come from the top down. The leadership needs to lead in this area. Most don’t. Most don’t see the need to change. Most are happy with the way things are. Suggestions, ideas and pleas fall upon deaf ears. And the feeling of being stuck, stuck, stuck rises.

How does one move leaders to think about making things better? Put material in their hands. Suggest guest speakers who understand how things could be better. Have a sit down one on one with each of the shepherds and talk. Suggest they visit other places that seem to be doing more.

Second, threats, pressure and splitting a congregation are not the best choices. That most often does not accomplish what is needed. It’s not another congregation, it’s a better us. Proverbs tells shepherds to “know well the condition of their flock.” Many don’t. They don’t know what others are feeling. They don’t sense some are “stuck spiritually.” I have found that most shepherd a congregation the way they saw it from the men before them. We just hand the baton on, from generation to generation, with very little thought about making things better. Having studies about these kind of topics are helpful. Looking at Ezekiel 34, 1 Thes. 5:14 and other passages makes one realize that the 32,000 foot view of the church misses many things. Assuming everyone is fine is often a mistaken assumption. Good men have been appointed shepherds without realizing that they must raise the bar on themselves if they want the church to do better. Having studies and opening eyes to what the Bible teaches is the best place to start. Progress will be slow. Baby steps are hard at first. But this is where it must begin.

Third, praying to the Lord for things to improve is a must. Invite the Lord in. Having families in your home, for singings, Bible studies will generate some interests, life and hope. Patience through all of this is necessary. Most congregations took a while to get in that “stuck” position and it often takes even longer getting them out. Some people are afraid of change. Some are afraid to look different from the other congregations in the area. Sticking with the Bible, keep teaching, showing and offering Biblical suggestions. Don’t expect others to fix everything. Offer yourself. Offer your home. Offer your services. Be part of the solution.

I have been stuck before. I have been stuck spiritually before. It’s not a fun place to be. It’s hard to get excited about the Lord. It’s hard to be evangelistic when you feel stuck. Stuck leads to going through the motions and that is not where one wants to be.

In our world today, congregations easily can become global. The means to put out blogs, podcasts and videos are fingertips away. It takes some planning, dreams and work but it can be done. Too whom much as been give, much is required, is what our Lord said. The opportunities to do more and more are there. It’ll take some leadership, some organization, some money and some work. But won’t it be worth it.

But even in a stuck congregation, one can serve and honor the Lord. Our relationship with Jesus is not wrapped around the wellbeing of a congregation. Sardis was dead, yet there were some there who were walking with the Lord. Don’t allow the complacency of others to fill your heart. Expect the best. Give the Lord your all.

I would even suggest printing this Jump Start and handing it to the leaders and saying, “This is how I feel. Can you read this and can we have a conversation about this later?” Then follow that up. Get some dates on the book and begin the process of talking.

Stuck…stagnate…stale…that’s no place to be. It’s not in our homes, our marriages, our hearts nor in our congregations. God deserves the best and we must step up and give Him our best by doing our best.

Can I help?

Roger