22

Jump Start # 3539

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3539

Matthew 19:5 “and said, ’For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.’”

In the morning I go to preform a wedding ceremony for an incredible young couple. They love each other and they love the Lord. It is so special when two strong believers, coming from a heritage of believers, join their lives together.

Like two rivers coming together, the joining of two lives in marriage is a special and also unique chapter for a young couple. The leaving of father and mother and mom and dad allowing that child to have his own space and leave is an adjustment for everyone involved. Next to finances, one of the greatest challenges for Christians who get married is the forming of an independent home. Sometimes the in-laws and the out-laws get too wrapped up in things that they shouldn’t and that creates more tension than what should be there.

The leaving is more than location. It’s more than a maturity factor. It means that your married child may do things differently than you do, and establish different traditions that you have and may not come running every time the family gets together. And, when parents start dropping lines such as, “Well, we always get together for birthdays,” or, “Going camping is something we always do around the 4th.” Understand, that may be what YOU do, but for that married couple, they are forming their own ways and it may not include some of those timeless family traditions. Give them space. Understand. Or, you can guilt them to come and you have just poured the first layer of resentment and stress in their lives. Don’t make your grown son choose between his parents and his wife. He needs to side with his wife, because that’s where his commitment and heart is.

My kids are married. We’ve gone through the adjustments of different holiday traditions, understanding that the in-laws need to see them as much as we want to see them. Your married children will decorate their homes differently than what you would. They may have more pets that you would. They may sleep in later than you think is necessary. All of this, falls under that umbrella of leaving father and mother. Unless they are doing something that can keep them out of Heaven, it’s best not to express your opinion unless it is asked for. Just don’t say it, will keep the sparks from flying.

Here are some thoughts about the marriage between two Christians:

First, it is wonderful to see that there are those who still believe in God’s way of doing things. No living together first, then years later, get married. Get the order in order. First comes love, then comes marriage and then comes the baby in the baby carriage, as the ole’ tune suggested.

For a culture that has given up on God, it’s great to see young couples who still honor the Lord by doing things His way. It is refreshing. It is special. Everything about it seems right.

Second, when a young Christian couple gets married, especially when they have been busy serving in the kingdom, teaching, helping and doing all they can, it just makes one know that good things will continue. Together, they will teach. Together, they will have hospitality in their home. Together, they will help the kingdom. Decades later, it is this type of couple that will touch so many lives for good. It is in this type of couple that leaders of God’s church are drawn from. Busy from the start and doing all that they can, what an asset they are to each other and to the Lord. Together they will help each other get to Heaven.

Third, when a young Christian couple marries it’s the result of years of molding, shaping and teaching by their parents. Going to worship since they were just months old, hearing so many sermons and sitting through so many Bible classes, though young in age, they are mature in faith. And, this incredible foundation will help them navigate safely through the choices and options that life presents to them. The immature and the unspiritual will continually make poor decisions. But the wise have listened to the counsel of God and others. All those devotions at home. All those talks that parents have had. All those prayers prayed. And, now, mom and dad are seeing that it was all worth it. A good man is marrying a good woman. Together, they become a virtuous couple. Strong in faith, and committed to each other, what a blessing they are. They will be examples for others. Some will point to this relationship and long for that in their own life. Mothers will say to their daughters, ‘you need to be like this young Christian woman.’ Dads will say to their sons, ‘Do you see all the good that this young man is doing?’

When the Holy Spirit wanted to illustrate the powerful relationship between Jesus and the church, He chose marriage as the perfect example. He didn’t use a coach and a team. He didn’t use a partnership in business. He didn’t use a couple of life long friends. No. The Holy Spirit chose a husband and a wife for the illustration. One wonders if there was a Christian couple that the Holy Spirit had in mind.

What a joy the morning will bring. What happiness for this special couple. Love, trust, and Lord—one just can’t beat that combination. Great things will happen with those three ingredients get stirred together in the heart.

Early congrats to Isaiah and Chloe. We wish you the best. This is just the beginning for the rest of your lives.

Roger

21

Jump Start # 3538

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3538

Esther 8:17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.”

I have yet another Esther thought, even though it is not Tuesday.  As the story of Esther unfolds, twists and subplots are revealed. Haman was dead. Yet, the evil edict against the Jews was still in the air. There seems to be a transition in the relationship between Xerxes and Esther. They are together and talking several times in these final chapters. The king is willing to grant Esther whatever she wants without her first asking. Mordecai is so trusted by the king that the signet ring is given to him.

Unlike her first approaching the king in earlier chapters, confident and sure, she now falls at the king’s feet, crying and pleading, not for her life but for the sake of her people. The king is so moved that he tells Mordecai to write anything and use the signet ring. Only a trusted person would be allowed to do that. The swiftest horses are used to carry the message to the far reaching parts of the kingdom. The Jews, according to Mordecai’s edict, would be allowed to defend themselves. And, that changes everything. The spirit of rejoicing fills the air. The officials side with the Jews. Our verse today shows that many Persians became Jews. There was a dread of the Jews that everyone feared.

And, what was that dread? Haman was number two in the kingdom. Yet, when he tried to execute a Jew, Mordecai, things shifted and Haman was killed. Mordecai, the Jew, now was second in command. Daniel was a Jew that was thrown into a Persian lion’s den. He was spared. Shadrach and his two Jewish friends were thrown into a Babylonian furnace and they were spared. The powerful Nebuchadnezzar was brought low by the Jewish God. There was the fortified Jericho that was destroyed by Jewish people. Rahab had heard about what Israel had done to other nations. There was the powerful Egyptians and their death in the Red Sea at the hands of the Jewish God. There was a history that no one could deny. There was kingdom after kingdom, empire after empire and the Jews seemed untouchable. Now, the Jews were given a new edict, written by the Jewish Mordecai and they were going to defend themselves. The new decree, approved by the king and supported by officials throughout the kingdom, allowed the Jews to kill their enemies.

There was a reason to dread the Jews. And, as our verse states, “many among the people of the land became Jews.”

First, there is an impression and an influence that one leaves with others. It can be negative or it can be positive. It can lead to Christ or it can lead away from Christ. The fact that many Persians became Jews shows that they were impacted and influenced. They didn’t want to be on the wrong side of that edict.

Second, there is a hope that lives within the child of God that is attractive and appealing. Yes, the Christian suffers. Yes, the Christian has bad days and bad news. Yes, the Christian faces the death of loved ones, tragedies and hardships. We all do. But, the Christian faces those things with a hope, a peace and an understanding that the world doesn’t. That is the basis of 1 Peter 3:15, the making of a “defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” It’s not just being able to answer a random Bible question. The world is asking about the hope that they see in us. We journey to the cemetery, but we walk away differently than the man of the world. We experience the loss of jobs, the heartache of disappointments, but there remains deep within us, that flame of hope. It’s not pure optimism that is nothing more than wishful thinking. There is an assurance, a confidence that is found in Christ. This world is not our home, is much more than a hymn, but a resolute anthem for the child of God.

When we cower in fear, worry like everyone else, become doubtful there will be no one asking us about our hope. They won’t see any hope. But when our faith in Christ shines brightly, even in the darkest of nights, there will be people wondering how you do that. The answer, of course, is Jesus.

Third, the dread was beyond these Jewish people in Esther’s time. There was something mighty, something powerful and that was the God of the Jews. The Egyptians had their gods, but they didn’t help them. Babylon had their gods, but they didn’t help them. Israel had one God. That’s all they needed. That’s all there was. And, their one God showed Himself to be the God of Heaven and Earth. There was nothing that He could not do. Intense fire? Nothing to Israel’s God. Trapped between a sea and a rapidly approaching army? Nothing to Israel’s God. Lions? Nothing to Israel’s God.

In Hebrews we are reminded that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Our culture has so emptied God of power, wrath and justice, that He is portrayed as a divine Mr. Roger’s, who so loves us that He’ll never raise His voice at us or do anything. And with such a warped theology, God becomes our servant and not the other way around. How dare anyone tinker with God’s word? How dare anyone try to change the worship of God?

What’s missing these days is good ole’ fashioned, “dread.” Many of us grew up knowing that if we ever got in trouble at school, we’d really get in trouble at home. There was a certain dread. Not these days. Get in trouble at school and mom and dad show up with an attorney demanding the school apologize to their little darling.

Oh, we dread today, it’s just that we no longer dread God. We dread offending someone. We dread upsetting someone’s feelings. We dread saying something in a sermon and someone may get up and walk out. We fear the people, but not the God.

There was a dread in Esther’s day. The Jews were on the move. And, their God was going to help them.

Roger

20

Jump Start # 3537

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3537

Psalms 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who is good.”

I ran across a little book the other day titled, “1001 Dumbest things ever said.” The title alone is enough to grab the attention of the curious. Here’s a few samplings:

  • A zebra cannot change its spots.
  • Why did they build the ruins so close to the road?
  • Include your children when baking cookies.

 

  Of course, this made me wonder about dumb things said in the Bible. Now, understand, nothing God says is dumb. God’s word is right, pure and accurate. However, the Bible quotes the statements of men that are dumb.

For instance:

  • Nebuchadnezzar: ”Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by my might of my power and for the glory of my majesty” (Dan 4:30)
  • Nebuchadnezzar: “What god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (Dan 3:15b)
  • The rich farmer: “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many good laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry” (Lk 12:19)
  • The Jews: “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” (Jn 10:20)

Our verse today, where the fool says ‘there is no God’ must rank near the top of all time dumb things said. And, yet that dumb statement is repeated over and over and expressed in universities, publications, social media and in the way people live.

That statement is dumb because:

First, it ignores the obvious evidence of God’s presence in the world. The Romans were told, “…His divine attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made” (Rom 1:20). Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them” (Mt 6:26).

Every Spring the world comes alive with trees budding, flowers blooming and it’s a reminder of resurrection over and over. Yet, the fool says, there is no God.

Second, if there is no God, as the fool declares, what’s the alternative? Nature? Evolution? Chance? It just happens? No wisdom. No planning. No design. These things just happen. It just happens that mankind is at the top of the world and not a fish or a pig. Really?

Third, as our verse continues, saying there is no God leads to corrupt and broken lives. No accountability. No standard. No rules. Just do whatever makes you happy. And, we are seeing this in the streets of America today. Chaos. Lawlessness. Crime. Remove God and you remove the reason to be decent, honest and serving.

Fourth, just saying something doesn’t make it so. One can declare there is no God, but that does not mean the Lord goes away. He’s still there. And, many a fool will find out how dumb this statement really is when they must stand before the Lord in judgment.

Dumb things. The more I thought about that, I wondered what would compel someone to put that list together. Why not a collection of “smartest things ever said,” or, “the most helpful things ever said.” Better yet, “The most spiritual things said,” or, “the most encouraging things said.” Now that would be a list.

Dumb things come from people not thinking.

Roger

19

Jump Start # 3536

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3536

  Galatians 1:6 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel”

Paul was amazed. He was amazed at two things the Galatians brethren were doing. And, what they were doing was not good. First, he was amazed that they were leaving the message that Paul had preached to them. They were moving to a “different gospel,” which he later calls a distorted or perverted gospel. How could they do that?

But the second thing that amazed Paul was how quickly this was taking place. This wasn’t two or three generations later, like we read at the beginning of Judges, after Joshua’s generation died. There, about two generations later, Israel was bowing down to idols. But, that’s not the Galatian story. Paul is amazed at how QUICKLY or how soon all of this was taking place.

Just about every N.T. book, other than Philemon, addresses the topic of error and false teaching. The slippery slope that some slide down can happen so quickly that they do not even realize it.

But the question needs to be asked, not for our times, but for Paul’s time, why were some deserting the Gospel so quickly after they had received it? There were likely many people still around that had seen Jesus. Remember, after His resurrection, He was seen by five hundred at one time. So, we are not centuries away from the time of Jesus. Maybe thirty years. Thirty years isn’t very long. For us, it’s just the 1990s. We have folks today that remember the moon landing or the assassination of JFK. Thirty some  years is not very long.

The time between when Paul first went to the Galatian region, on his first journey and the writing of the letter to the Galatians, would be about ten years. Ten years is really a short length in time. In our time frame, it’s 2014, seems like yesterday. How could some leave the message of Jesus that soon after they first heard it and believed it?

First, there is always a curious fascination with the odd, the unusual, the different, the newly discovered. And, often that’s the package that error comes in. It’s a different way of looking at things, some will say. It’s something that no one else has ever seen. And, that’s all that needs to be said for some to sign up for that new gospel.

For the Galatians, there was a strong Jewish push to demand circumcision for the Gentiles. Some had one foot in the Gospel, while their other foot remained in the Old Testament. And, in our times, it’s one foot in the Gospel and the other foot in the world or in denominationalism. Rather than leaving one for the other, some try to find a way to force a merger or a marriage between the two. And, in so doing, the pure Gospel is twisted and distorted. The new message isn’t the same as the ole’ Gospel message.

Second, there are always proponents of error that push their ideas upon others. That was the Galatian situation. Had the Jewish influence not been so powerful, there is a strong chance the message would never have been distorted. Today, social media allows anyone to say anything, and they usually do. They don’t have to prove what they say with evidence and facts. Just throw out statements, wild and radical, and there will be those who latch on to that and go with it.

Out of this comes some thoughts: First, everyone needs to know the will of God. Ignorance allows error to spread and grow. Truth has nothing to fear and truth never suffers under investigation. Error will hide. Error will deceive. Had the Galatians, had we, the knowledge that we ought to, error would find no footholds among us. Shame on us for not knowing. Shame on us for not being sharp enough to recognize the twisting of Scriptures, passages taken out of context and the misuse of God’s word.

But, with this also, comes a responsibility upon the shepherds of God’s people to watch, guard and protect the sheep that have been given to us. Giving a platform for error to be taught falls directly upon clueless shepherds who have been blinded by the charisma of smooth talking preachers or they have drunk the Kool-Aide of error themselves. Error tends to die when it is confronted with truth and when it no longer has a platform to peddle it’s false agenda.

John told brethren about the wicked Diotrephes, “if I come, I will call attention to his deeds…”. Could this be a reason why the majority of the N.T. books address error? God is trying to protect His people. Don’t hide. Don’t be afraid. Stand up. Confront it with the Word of God. And, when the salesmen of error won’t stop, no longer give them a platform to peddle their poison. That may mean changing Bible class teachers in the middle of a quarter. It may mean giving the preacher his walking papers. Toleration of wrong, only allows wrong to continue.

When someone declares, “I’ve been misunderstood,” then speak so clearly so we can all understand. What are you saying? We ought to speak as the oracles of God.

Third, the permitting of error will only destroy a congregation. Later in Galatians we find, “But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” Error and truth cannot co-exist within a congregation. A battle will ensue. Lines will be drawn. People will leave.

It’s hard when people we love and have worshipped with for years now want to side with a distorted Gospel. But our allegiance is with the Lord, first, and always. When we allow friendships and feelings to close our eyes to the destructive nature of Satan, we will lose.

There comes a time to draw a line in the sand and stand with the Lord. Those times are upon us. They always have been. Joshua declared, “Choose you this day who you will serve.” Paul said, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him.” We must side with the Lord.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3535

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3535

Psalms 66:8 “Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praises abroad.”

It was an early Monday morning. I walked into the dark auditorium of our church building to pick up my sermon notes that I had left there from Sunday. There was a time when I took Mondays off, especially when the kids were home. But now, my wife works Monday mornings and I go down to the office and start things for the week.

What a different picture walking into the auditorium that Monday morning. Just the day before, all the lights were on, there was a lot of activity, smiles, handshakes, hugs and conversations. We sang praises to God. We prayed to our Lord. The word was preached. Concerns were talked about. The day was busy with people, activity and life. Questions were asked. People told about family members recovering from recent health issues. Children were running around. Little ones were trying to walk. So much activity on a Sunday morning. It is a busy place.

But this Monday morning as I sat in one of the pews, the place was very still. It was very quiet. It was a great time to reflect. There were no noises. Just me and the Lord. And, what a great reminder that was. Worship is about me and the Lord. We can lose sight of that with all the noises, the conversations, the people, the activities. Bulletins to be picked up. Class material to get. Those that serve publicly gather for a prayer. The preachers have their mics attached. The media team is busy with sound buttons, lights, computers and cameras. But on a Monday morning, everyone is gone. It is all very, very quiet. And, it’s not the mics, the sound board, the lights, the people, the noise, it’s what’s in my heart towards the Lord.

Here are a few thoughts that came to my mind as I sat in the empty auditorium on a Monday morning:

First, I said a prayer. The God that we all worshipped yesterday was still on His throne this morning. I thanked the Lord for that. In the stillness of the morning, while many of our church family were busy at work, taking children to school, or driving to doctors, our God was still among us and for us. Be still, the Psalmist declared and know that I am the Lord.

Second, I wondered if my words on Sunday helped anyone? Were they the right words? Did I approach a topic that was most needful? Sunday was over. It was now Monday. There was no rewinding and going back to yesterday. It was a moment in time. Did I use it wisely? Could I have done things better? After four decades of doing this every week, I still think those thoughts. I want people to know the Lord. I want to touch hearts with the goodness and love of God. I want people to give their all to the Lord. Will anyone remember what songs we sang yesterday? Will anyone remember any of the prayers from yesterday? Will anyone remember the Scriptures that were read yesterday? It was a moment in time, but did it make any difference a day later?

Third, as encouraging as Sunday was, I have to live for the Lord today. Yesterday is over. Today presents many challenges, battles and things that need my attention. I need to call some people to see how they are doing. I have articles, such as this one, to write. I have classes to be taught later this week. Sunday is over, but before me is another full week of things that need to be done.

There is a part of me that just wanted to sit in the auditorium for hours. Just let the mind reflect and observe. The silence. The memories. The prayers. The love. The concerns. The hope. And, to think God lets us be a part of all of this. Simply amazing.

Monday morning in an empty church building. I wish every person could have a moment like that. It’s good for the soul.

Roger