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Jump Start # 3272

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3272

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.”

Our verse today is very similar to what we find in Luke, “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” John says, “troubled hearts.” Luke says, “lost hearts.” Within the framework of these two passages, there are several reasons why the disciples could have heart problems. Jesus was leaving. He was first going to be crucified, then raised, then ascended. They wouldn’t have Jesus right with them any more. They would not have Jesus helping them, correcting them, guiding them anymore. They were to be on their own. Faith would have to drive them.

Our hearts become troubled because of problems. And, just who doesn’t have problems. And, if you don’t have enough of your own problems, from toxic co-workers, to health issues, to matters down at the church house, to issues in the family, there are other problems that creep into our lives. High prices. Empty shelves. Balloons floating over the nation.

I was reading some things about Joshua the other day and came across this:

“Problems happen. They happen to rich people, sexy people, educated people, sophisticated people. They happen to retired people, single people, spiritual people and secular people. All people have problems. But not all people see problems the same way. Some people are overcome by problems. Others overcome problems. Some people are left bitter. Others are left better. Some people face their challenges with fear. Others with faith” (Glory Days, pg. 151, 152).

I would add to this, some problems are big and others are small. Some people hide their problems. Others can’t, even if they wanted to. Some problems seem to hang around for a long time. Some problems are a direct result of our choices. We invited the problems into our lives. Some problems come to us uninvited and unannounced. And, some problems change a person. Some are never the same again.

Running through the first two pages of Job, we find a long list of problems that he faced from theft, financially ruined, health problems, marriage issues, death of his children and the lingering question, “Why? Why me?”

I like the joke that says, “The man who says all his problems are behind him, probably drives a school bus.”

Now some observations:

First, trying to find a way to live a problem free life isn’t going to happen. You’ll never see a sign as you enter a city that boasts, “Welcome to a trouble free city.” Nope. No such place exists. Even on vacations, trouble follows us. Flying. Hotels. Rental cars. Crowds. Prices. Somewhere in all of that, there will be a problem. I told someone recently, at every wedding, something doesn’t go as planned. Always. We burn a lot of energy and get easily frustrated when we try to live a problem free life. The dog throws up. The toilet overflows. The car won’t start. The dishwasher makes a funny noise. Your child can’t find his shoes. You left the baby’s favorite blanket at grandma’s house and now he won’t go to sleep. You get to work and the computer is running slow. There’s drama among the staff and they want to pull you into the middle of it. Your head hurts and you forgot to bring aspirin. You forgot a dentist appointment and now they want to charge you for not cancelling it. The trash truck has already passed your house when you remember that you forgot to set it out last night.

Troubles—always.

Second, problems can get to us or we can make the most of the problems. Stress levels fly off the charts when we allow our problems to ruin our days and sour our attitudes and moods. You’re going to have problems, there is no getting around that. Things do not always go the way you planned them. You can cry. You can complain. You can throw yourself a pity party. You can ruin everyone else’s day by talking about how bad your day is, or you navigate through those problems the best you can. Pray. Pray often. Your character and your heart become most visible when people see you through stressful times. Your kids notice. Your spouse notice. Brethren notice. God notices.

Jesus words in our passage puts us in control of things. Let not your heart be troubled is a choice. One can say, “I can’t help it. These problems came into my life and now I am bothered and upset.” That’s how we see things. Jesus said, don’t let that happen. Troubles may come but they do not have to trouble you. He added, do not let your heart become “fearful.” Troubles always seem the worse at night. Our minds always assume the worst. Yet, with the morning light, and a day full of activities, our troubles seem more manageable.

Third, keep the heavenly perspective. Two things to remember here. First, God is always upon the throne. Always. Prayer to Him helps. He hears. He listens. He responds. Second, all of our troubles stay here. There won’t be any troubles following you into Heaven. The is an end to our troubles. Our troubles are not eternal. That gives us hope and allows us to endure.

One of our hymns begins with these words, “Troublesome times are here, filling mens hearts with fear.” So true. So profound. It can be discouraging or we can realize, This world is not our home. Troubles make us long even more for that Heavenly home with our Father.

Let not your heart be troubled…sure is something to think about, especially in these troubled times.

Roger

20

Jump Start # 3271

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3271

Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

In my love of reading Restoration History I ran across something the other day that I had not seen before. And, now that I think about it, I see how true it is. As the second and third generation of restorers were teaching and leading, the thought became prevalent that the large cities were corrupt. This belief was so widely accepted that many didn’t even attempt to evangelize large cities. They were convinced that “city people” would not listen and that their hearts were closed to the gospel message. It was believed to be a waste of time and the Lord’s money to even try to go to the cities. Therefore from the mid-1800s, hundreds and hundreds of rural congregations sprang up. The country people were listening. Especially in places like Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, the strength of the church was found in this country congregations. But, as time passed, the small farm could not sustain a family. People moved to the cities to find jobs. Congregations started springing up in the cities and today, many of these rural congregations are barely holding on. The communities are small. And, many are having to face the cold reality that in a few years, the doors of the church house may close for good.

And, today, many of the strongest congregations are in large cities. Those early restorers miscalculated and misunderstood both the Scriptures and the heart of mankind. In our New Testaments, the congregations are in major cities: Jerusalem, Ephesus, Corinth, and even in the capital of the empire, Rome. The apostles took the message to where the people were.

Some lessons for us:

First, we can outthink and out reason what the Bible teaches. Our verse today says go into all the world. All the world includes the city as well as the country. Places like New Orleans, Los Vegas may have the designation of being very sinful and corrupt, but the message has been taken there and God’s people have a foothold there. Our logic and our thinking can keep us from doing what God wants fulfilled.

Second, as times and situations change, brethren must face what’s best for the kingdom. Keeping two or three little congregations, within a stones throw of each other open may not be the best  use of resources. We must move beyond our dedication to the church building. We must not allow the past to color what the future really holds. Having two or three small congregations merging together would give more encouragement, more teachers, more finances, more tools to do what God wants.

Third, some do not want to look down the road and see what’s coming. There are places I have been to that, if the Lord allows another dozen years, those places may not be around. What to do? Just wait until that happens or start conversations and start making plans. I knew of a small, small rural congregation, that back in the 1800’s numbered about 200. It was way out in the country and hard to find. People died and people moved away. Finally, it came down to two old men that were left. The building was so moldy and in need of repair, that they met in the entry way. Today, that congregation ceases to exist. But does that mean the kingdom dwindles? The kingdom is not made up of congregations but of individual saints. Shifting from one location to another doesn’t alter the kingdom.

It is healthy for everyone to look down the road. We do that with our personal finances. Unless you want to be working full time when you are 85 years old, you start investing and saving. You are looking down the road. Congregations need to do the same. Who will be leading us in ten years? Who will be stepping up in ten years? What does ten years down the road look like? Those conversations lead to adjusting, planning, developing and training. Forward looking congregations are already thinking about who the next shepherds will be. They are developing and teaching men today to serve tomorrow. Don’t wait until there is an emergency, like a death, and then everyone scrambles to find anyone who will step up and teach or lead. Be working on that now.

A lack of leadership has crippled many congregations. Merely holding on and just doing what has always been done is as far as some places think. Maybe it’s time we changed our thinking. Maybe it’s time we made some plans, put some things into action and looked into how we can make things better for the Lord.

A saying that means so much to me, “Let’s leave this place better than we found it.” That speaks volumes when it comes to the spiritual atmosphere of a congregation.

Roger

17

Jump Start # 3270

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3270

1 Kings 22:14 “But Micaiah said, ‘As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak.’”

He was a prophet of God, but he is mostly forgotten today. He didn’t write any books of the Bible, but he left an incredible example for us. Judah and Israel were separate nations at this time and generally they did not get along very well. The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat contacts Ahab, king of Israel, to combine their forces and go to war against Syria. Judah’s king wanted conformation from the Lord. Ask the prophet is what he tells Ahab. Ahab has prophets, a bunch. He has about four hundred and they are all yes men to him. Whatever Ahab wants, they assure him that God is for it. But this doesn’t set well with Judah’s king. He knows that Ahab has surrounded himself with pagan prophets and false gods. Judah’s king wants to know what the prophet of the Lord says.

There seems to be one lone prophet of God, Micaiah. Ahab hates him. He is told to get in line with the other prophets and speak favorably as they have. Micaiah is not a ‘yes’ man. He fears no one, including the king. Our verse is a statement of his conviction. I will only say what the Lord tells me. And, the word he receives is not favorable. Israel’s king will be killed. The nation will be scattered. Micaiah is slapped on the face for saying this. Ahab has him sent to prison with just enough bread and water to keep him alive.

The battle takes place and Israel’s king, Ahab, is killed. The chapter ends with the prophet still in prison and nothing else is told of his life. Did he die in prison? Did the next king release him? We don’t know.

The courage and conviction of Micaiah is needed so much these days. Tickling itching ears makes a preacher popular and well liked, but it doesn’t set well with the Lord. Telling people what they like to hear is not always what they need to hear. Crowds flock to hear the message ‘You’re doing great and nothing needs to change.’ Current culture has the message of the pulpit following the whims of society. The modern church has given up on the holiness of God’s people. And, even among our own, things are being said without Biblical proof. Feelings are taking a precedent over Scriptures and the concern for happiness has placed truth in the backseat of our faith. What’s missing these days is the spirit of Micaiah, one who will only speak as the Lord says.

Some lessons:

First, what God says has never been popular. It wasn’t for the itching ear crowd of Timothy. It wasn’t with Ahab. And, it’s not today. Please the people or please the Lord, that’s what is at stake. Ahab wanted someone to signoff on his plans. He didn’t want a debate. He didn’t want some to stop him. Agree with what I want or get out of my way. And, that spirit is just what the devil is looking for.

Second, it’s easy to define words and terms to fit our liking rather than use the words as God uses them. We must let the Bible interpret itself. Notice how God uses words. Notice the order of the words. When we begin with our situation, as Ahab did, then we bend, twist, redefine God’s words to approve of us. Ahab was ready to go to war. His mind was made up. When we start with that, be it a new innovation in worship, a new way of looking at divorce, a new sensation when we pray, we’ll find a way to make it seem right. What we need to do is begin with God. The starting point is not our circumstances, but what God says. From what God says, we then look at our lives. Ahab had it backwards. And, much too often, we have it backwards today. What the Lord says, that I will speak. Not what I say. Not what I want. What the Lord says—nothing more and nothing less.

Third, God’s word doesn’t change through the seasons, years or from external findings. So many like to run to secular studies, secular writings and build bridges from that to understanding God’s word. What about the people who never had access to those secular studies? What about the people who lived and died before those ancient writings were discovered? Are we to assume they didn’t know God’s word correctly? Do we have to have these other things in order to know God’s word? Can a person be saved with just the Bible and nothing else? Can the church function, pleasingly to the Lord, with just the Bible and nothing else?

Micaiah was slapped. Micaiah was thrown into a prison. Micaiah was nearly starved. And, what did he do to deserve this? He spoke the truth. The followers of error will always try to suppress the Micaiah’s, who speak as the Lord speaks. The troublers of Israel may be more in number and be in powerful positions, but God knows what He says. There is a place close to God for those who have the heart like Micaiah.

Ahab refused to listen to Micaiah. Ahab had his mind made up. And, Ahab died, just as God said he would.

What the Lord says, that I shall speak!

Roger

16

Jump Start # 3269

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3269

Psalms 116:12 “How can I repay the Lord for all the good He has done for me?” (CSB)

Our verse today is a question that runs through the mind and the heart of every disciple. God has been so good to us. God has been so good to me. How can I ever repay the Lord for what He has done for us.

First, there is salvation, the ultimate gift. It cost the blood of Jesus to provide this. Financial advisors will often talk about a person’s net worth. What they do is add up the value of everything you own and subtract your debt and that final number is your net worth. Jesus had another way of calculating your net worth. What does it prosper Jesus said if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? The value of your house, cars, investments, and all those things are not close to what your soul is worth. Forgiven. Free. A second chance. Redeemed. Reconciled. Justified. Saved. Line those words up and how can you and I ever repay the Lord? We could never save ourselves. No one else could do what Jesus did. How can I repay the Lord?

Second, there is our talents and abilities. I was talking with someone the other day about music and the difference between reading music and having an ear for music. One can be taught what the notes on a score mean, but to have the ear to recognize pitch and to play a song based upon what you hear is a special gift from the Lord. All of us have different talents. The ability to lead. The ability to sing. The ability to draw. The ability to solve. The ability to plan. The ability to speak publicly. The ability to write. The ability to encourage. We are all very different, but one thing we have in common is that the Lord has gifted each of us in our own unique way. It is easy to want the gifts of someone else, but God has placed in you what He wants and what works best for you. How can we ever repay the Lord for that?

Third, there are special people in our lives. There are people who have pointed us to Jesus. There have been encouragers and teachers and shepherds that have helped us know the Lord. We would not be where we are today had it not been for these people, God’s people. They have meant so much to us and are so dear to us and it is easy to assume that we simply made friendships with them on our own, but many, many times these intersections came about because of the Lord. God put these people in our lives. They were there when we were hurting and down. They were there when we were straying. They were there when we needed them. How can we ever repay the Lord for these dear, dear people in our lives?

Fourth, there are answered prayers. This Psalm begins with that concept. I love the Lord, the chapter begins, because He has heard me. How many times has God answered your prayers? How many times have you asked for forgiveness and God forgave? How many times was God there when you needed Him? How can we ever repay the Lord for answering our prayers? How can you ever repay God for that?

Obviously, the answer to all of these is the same. We cannot repay the Lord. We cannot afford what it costs to repay these gifts. And, if we could repay, especially in salvation, then salvation would no longer be a gift, but something we earned. We paid for it. We repaid the Lord. That’s not possible, EVER.

So, since repayment is not possible, what are we to do?

First, we are to be thankful and use these gifts to glorify God. We can become like a spoiled child who opens a present and runs off to play without ever saying, “Thank you,” to the one who gave the gift. Our hearts ought to be thankful to the Lord. Look what the Lord has done for us. Gratitude is a hallmark of the people of God. Thankful people appreciate. Thankful people become good stewards. Thankful people are a joy to be around. Thankful people recognize the help that comes from the Lord.

Second, we ought to live a life faithful to God. Stop trying to push the envelope with what the Bible teaches. Stop trying to be unique, different and one of a kind. Stop looking for an explanation that no one has ever thought of before. Be satisfied and content with God’s word as He gave it to us. Be faithful to God in all things. Noah did all that God commanded. Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses. Some like to play spiritual dodgeball with God. Jumping here, jumping there, looking for loopholes, dodging this command, ducking from that responsibility and as they do this they are not doing all that God said.

How can I repay the Lord? By following Him and obeying Him.

Third, by telling others about the Lord. Look what the Lord has done for me. When Jesus sent the demon possessed man home to his people, it was with the message, look what great things the Lord has done. Personal. He didn’t need a quarter class on how to evangelize. He hadn’t studied all the “isms” that the church faces. No tracts in his hands. No sermon CD’s to pass out. He likely didn’t know much about baptism, church finances, organization, but the one thing he did know was he was once possessed by demons and now he wasn’t. That’s all he needed at that moment. And, maybe that’s all we need. The Lord has been good to me.

God has saved our lives. God has changed our lives. God has given us a purpose and a hope. Great things have come from the Lord. How can I ever repay Him? Do you even feel that you need to repay Him?

It begins with a prayer. It begins with a thankful heart.

Roger

15

Jump Start # 3268

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3268

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Burden bearers, that’s what disciples are. They lighten the heavy load that others are carrying. It helps to know that others care. It helps knowing that you can lean upon others. They may not be able to fix what troubles you, but having a shoulder to cry upon, or to help you walk down the road is such a valuable blessing.

There are some things we need to know about bearing burdens:

First, some don’t want their burdens to go away. That may seem odd and almost impossible to believe, but it’s true. Some like to complain about their burdens. Some want an audience so they can tell all about their troubles, but if those burdens were removed, what would they talk about? What would they complain about? They may want you to feel sorry for them and they may want you to listen to their sad story over and over, but to offer suggestions, solutions and help, that they don’t want any part of. I have to admit that my tolerance and patience after a while runs really thin when people want to moan about how miserable their life is but they don’t want to do anything about it. The other day some was crying to me about how he hated his job. This has gone on for months. I told him to quit. Immediately he shot back, what would I do then? I told him, get another job, that’s what you do. I hear people saying, “I hate living here. I hate the traffic. I hate the weather.” Then, move. I hear, “I don’t like the church I’m going to. Don’t like the preaching. Don’t like the people.” Then leave. Find another congregation. But most times, nothing will change. They will stay in that job, that city, that church, and just feel miserable and complain. There are some burdens that you cannot bear because a person will not take his fingers off of them.

Second, there are some burdens that only God can fix. A sorrow. A prodigal. A hurt. We can support, be there, and be comfort, but the troubles may still remain. As disciples we are limited in what we can do. However, our presence, our compassion and our prayers can bring such comfort, even though the burden remains. It’s not a failure on our part that we could not remove the burden. Somethings only God can fix.

Third, burdens come in different flavors and in different fashions. Some are external, such as the loss of a job, financial troubles, a death. Some are health related. Some are more emotional and mental. A prodigal in the family. Grown kids that do not get along with parents. Some are spiritual, such as someone drifting away from the Lord. We are pretty good at wearing masks to hide these burdens from others. And, all of these burdens impact us in different ways. Some burdens last a long time. Realizing this helps us to be able to help others. It’s not our place to determine or measure how severe one’s burdens are. Is physical pain worse than emotional pain? Is the internal worse than the external? While I carry one burden, you may carry a different kind of burden. Is mine harder to deal with than yours? We don’t need to go there. To the person with the burden, it hurts. It consumes his mind and his energy. It’s hard for him to focus on other things.

Must one be free of burdens before he can help another with their burden? That would make a great question to kick around in a Bible class. I don’t believe one must be burden free in order to help another. While I hurt one way, I may be able to encourage you as you carry your own burden. And, as I do this, it often helps me with my own burden. Helping another many times leads to helping yourself.

This is the power and strength of fellowship. This is what is missing from internet worship and livestreaming from home. I can sing, listen to a sermon and pray, but what I miss is the interaction with others. This is why the Corinthians were told, “when you come together.” We need to be together. One can worship via the internet, but one cannot fellowship. It’s hard to bear one another’s burdens when we are apart and we are unaware of what others are going through.

Helping one another is one of the powerful aspects of the church. We do not journey alone. We have all around us those who are watching for us, caring for us, loving us, and supporting us. As the English group, The Hollies sang, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” Together we get through the toughest things. Together we lean upon each other. Together we march to Zion.

Bearing burdens…what a blessing that is.

Roger