26

Jump Start # 4083

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4083

 

Revelation 3:17 “Because yo say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

 

Pitiful Laodicea. It’s the church that no one wants to be a part of. Lukewarm. Lifeless. Indifferent. Drifting. Going through the motions. All those expressions could be attached to this church. Now, Laodicea did not start out that way. No one begins lukewarm. Lukewarm doesn’t have the energy, drive or vision to start a new congregation. At the beginning, Laodicea had some ambition and get up and go. A church was started.

 

But, in time, they settled. They stopped growing. They became content and negligent. Arrogance filled the air, as they claimed that they did not need anything.

 

There is a line from our verse today that is so revealing. It identifies the Laodicean problem. This same thing is the root of many troubles in the home and troubles in the congregation these days. The phrase is: “You do not know…” That’s the issue. They were blind. They were miserable. Yet, they did not know that.

 

So many today are happily drinking the poisonous Kool-aid of false teaching and error and they do not know that. Many are oblivious to what is going on in their own homes. As soon as dinner is over, everyone races to their bedroom, shuts the door and gets on their phones while mom and dad fall asleep watching TV. What are the kids seeing on their phones? Who are they texting? What are they texting? YOU DO NOT KNOW. You assume all is fine, but is it?

 

The question that ought to come out of all of this is how do I recognize what is going on? Laodicea missed it. What is a good spiritual assessment? How do I know how my family is doing? How do I know how the congregation is doing? How do I know how I am doing? If a whole congregation missed it, then I can miss it personally. I may think I’m doing fine in my walk with the Lord, but what if “YOU DO NOT KNOW,” is hovering in the air above me?

 

First, the benchmark is always the word of God. John wrote in his first letter, “I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (5:13). Comparing ourselves to others never works out well. We match ourselves with someone we feel is lower on the standard. When we do that, we come out looking pretty good. However, if we were to compare ourselves to someone higher up than we are, then we look pretty sad. The standard is not what the typical or average Christian is doing. The standard is always the word of God.

 

Am I putting off the old ways and putting on Christ as Ephesians and Colossians teach us? Is my character becoming more gentle, kind and forgiving, as the Lord wants? Am I patient with others? How’s the anger in my life? Am I holy as Jesus is? What about my language? What about gossip? What about porn?

 

If my car isn’t working, I want a mechanic to do more than raise the hood. I can do that. I want him to start pulling out parts, running some tests and get deep into the engine. I need to do that spiritually.

 

Beginning with benchmark, how are the kids attitudes? Are they respectful? Would they naturally pray before they eat? Are the willing to help others without complaining? Are they interested in worship?

 

Is the congregation really teaching God’s word? Are they looking out for those who are hurting and struggling and offering them real help? Can I easily talk to the leaders without the fear of going to the principal’s office? Are we doing anything more than Sunday worship? Are we connecting with one another?

Laodicea DID NOT KNOW. Do I?

 

Second, my focus must first be towards myself and my family. At Sardis, the atmosphere was dead. It was declared a dead church. Yet, there were a few that remained alive. So, I may not do what everyone else is doing. If all are dead, I do not have to be that way. If all are lukewarm, I can be different.

 

What are my spiritual habits? How does the day begin for me? Is the first thing a prayer or a look at my phone? Throughout the day, do I think about the Lord, His people and how blessed I am to be a part of His kingdom? Do I know how I am doing? Between Sunday’s, do I connect with my church family? Have I gone to eat with any of them? Do I pray for them? Am I sending cards or calling any of them? Or, do I turn off my spiritual life until the next Sunday? Do I know how I am doing?

 

Third, God gives us many wake up calls. They come through the Scriptures. They come through the preached word. They come from the concern of the godly. Those who are asleep spiritually never hear those calls. But, those who are alive spiritually catch them. They look at their lives. They make adjustments. They improve.

 

They did not know…what telling words. May they never be spoken of us.

 

Roger

 

22

Jump Start # 4082

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4082

 

Acts 10:4 “And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, ‘Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.’”

 

NOTE: Monday is a holiday. There will be no Jump Start that day.

 

Our verse today comes from the story of Cornelius. Specifically, it is a conversation between Cornelius and an angel. Four remarkable things unfold here. First, Cornelius has a vision from Heaven. Second, an angel appears. An angel speaks to Cornelius and third, he reveals that his prayers have been heard by God. Fourth, and, in the midst of all of this, Peter is encountering a vision which will change his heart about Gentile people. Peter must overcome major prejudices and God helps him through that journey.

 

What is interesting in the Cornelius story is that he is pictured as a very good and religious person. He is generous. He prays. He fears God. And, then like a cherry on top of a cake, he has a vision, an angel speaks to him and he is assured that his prayers have been heard in Heaven. Most in our times would say that man is saved. There is nothing more that he could do. Yet, that’s not the flow of the Bible. Cornelius is told to send for Peter. Peter preaches words whereby he will be saved. Just praying doesn’t save one. Seeing a vision doesn’t save. Having an angel appear and even speaking to you does not save you. One, like each of us, must respond to the preached Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith in the message is the starting point.

 

Within our verse, the words of the angel, we find the idea of a “memorial.” The prayers of Cornelius has ascended as a memorial before God. How fitting to give this some thought as we are heading into Memorial Day weekend. For many of us, Memorial Day is a day off of work. It’s cookouts, picnics, car races, putting out the flag and having some fun. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who served our country and gave their lives. Many young people have gone off to war and several never made it back home. We have our freedoms here because brave men and women stood up to the call to defend and protect those principles.

 

Spiritually, we think of the Lord’s Supper as a memorial. Do this in memory of Me, is what Jesus said. Every Sunday, we think about that cross, that blood, and the freedom granted to us from the death clutches of Satan.

 

But, here in our verse, the prayers of Cornelius ascended as a memorial. Most of the English translations use the word “memorial” in this passage. We usually don’t think about prayers being a memorial. We’d use words like, “pleading,” “thanksgiving,” “praise,” “seeking forgiveness.” But, here it’s “memorial.”

 

I don’t know what was running through the mind and heart of Cornelius, but here are some thoughts about prayers being a memorial.

 

First, God has been so good to us. He has. He has blessed us, forgiven us, helped us and been there for us. Even someone like Cornelius could attest to that. Being a Roman centurion, the Lord has kept him safe and alive. Acknowledging that, speaking that, thanking that helps us realize that had it not been for the Lord, we would not be where we are.

 

Second, memorials are intended to honor another person. We shouldn’t use a memorial to make us seem great. It is the soldier who gave his life, it is the parents that showed us the Lord, it is the Lord that has gifted us and blessed us that we remember, honor and thank. Cornelius did that in his prayer.

 

There is a block wall around the courthouse in Spencer, Indiana that has names of men and women who served in the armed forces from that county. My sweet dad’s name is among them. I remember looking at that with him and he telling of so many of the names that he knew. Memories. Precious memories.

 

Cornelius’ prayer was a memorial to God.

 

Third, much too often the greatest words that we can think of are “Thank You.” But those words do not seem to be enough for all that one has done for another. Thank you to parents for all that they have done. Most never know all the things that they did. How many prayers that they said for us and how they had sacrificed for us. Thank you is just not enough for a group of believers that have accepted us, encouraged us, taught us and included us. And, thank you, just doesn’t seem enough for all that the Lord has done for us.

 

One way we strengthen our Thank You to the Lord is by living like the Lord. Allowing the Scriptures to shape our hearts and our character. Becoming gentle and kind. Being a person of forgiveness. Dropping the rocks of judgment and embracing one another in love.

 

Thank you’s to the Lord become empty when we hurry off to a selfish, worldly life. Cornelius called for Peter. Cornelius listened to Peter. Cornelius obeyed the Gospel call and was baptized. What happened after that? We are not told, but we have a good guess. Cornelius became a pillar in a congregation. He led others to the Lord. He became a fountain of encouragement and hope to others. Why do we think that? Because Cornelius was a memorial to the Lord.

 

This Memorial Day, think about all the Lord has done for you. Were it not for the Lord…

 

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 4081

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4081

 

Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

Liberal, Missouri—A Failed Experiment

 

The little town of Liberal, Missouri lies near the Missouri-Kansas border, a few miles north of Joplin, MO. This sleepy little town of about 800 residents is typical of many small towns scattered throughout the United States. Liberal, MO had a very interesting beginning. It was an experiment in intellectualism that backfired.

 

In the summer of 1880, George Walser established Liberal, MO as a town for free thinkers. He did not want to be burdened by rules, doctrines and creeds. Walser, by city-charter, banned all churches and religious thinking. He welcomed believers to a community where they could bring up their children without religious training. So extreme was this community, that at one time a barbed-wired fence was erected around the city to keep out all influences to God, Heaven and Hell. Local residents would board incoming passenger trains to inform any Christians that they were not welcome in Liberal, MO. A city street was named “Darwin,” after the famous evolutionist, Charles Darwin. Liberal boasted of the only town of its size in the United States “without a priest, preacher, church, God, Jesus, hell or the devil.” Walser and his co-founders were excited about the new town. They really believed that it would thrive for years and years.

 

Gospel preacher Clark Braden visited the town of Liberal, MO five years after it was established. His report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (May 2, 1885) revealed a far darker picture than many realized.

 

Braden wrote, “Liquor can be obtained at three different places in this town of 300 inhabitants…Swearing is the common form of speech in Liberal, and nearly every inhabitant, old and young, swears habitually. Girls and boys swear on streets, playground, and at home. Fully half of the females will swear, and a large number swear habitually. Lack of reverence for parents and of obedience to them is the rule…There are more people living together, who have former companions living, than in ay other town of ten times the population. A good portion of the few books that are read are of the class that decency keeps under lock and key. These infidels can spend for dances and shows ten times as much as they spend on their liberalism. These dances are corrupting the youth of the surrounding country with infidelity and immorality. There is no lack of loose women at these dances. Since Liberal was started there has not been an average of one birth per year of infidel parents. Feticide (abortion) is universal. The physicians of the place say that a large portion of their practice has been trying to save females from consequences of feticide. In no town is slander more prevalent, or the charges more vile. If one were to accept what the inhabitants say of each other, he would conclude that there is a hell, including all Liberal, and that it’s inhabitants are the devils.”

 

Braden indicated that “nine-tenths of those now in town would leave if they could sell their property…Hundreds have been deceived and injured and ruined financially.”

 

It wasn’t very long until the unattractiveness, inconsistencies and corruption of Liberal destroyed it’s founding ideals. The city charter was changed. Infidels moved away. Churches were established. Today the town boasts of seven different churches and 50% of its residents are involved with some church.

 

Removing God only invites greed, corruption, indecency and all forms of ungodliness. The Liberal experiment failed. The wonderful town without God became a nightmare of social and domestic problems.

 

What happened to George Walsher, the founder of atheistic Liberal, MO? Near the end of his life he became a believer in Christ. He wrote a book entitled, “The Life and Teachings of Jesus.” he stated in that book tha the had “wandered in the desert of disbelief, waded in the river of doubt and in the sands of desolation before he came to the hope that Jesus was the Son of God.”

 

The Liberal, MO experiment with an atheistic community failed. Or, did it? Maybe it proved that removing God from you life and your community invites disaster and heartache.

 

Roger

December, 2004

 

20

Jump Start # 4080

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4080

 

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

 

Many people feel that as long as one has a sincere heart, the “little” details do not make much difference. Just follow the “Man,” is the call of today. Little things like worship, plan of salvation, organization of the church are viewed as insignificant as long as you follow the “Man.” There has been books written such as, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” implying that the small stuff doesn’t matter. Does it? Consider other “small things” that happens all the time:

 

  • Two million documents will be lost by the IRS this year
  • 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next 60 minutes
  • More than 2 million books will be shipped in the next twelve months with the wrong cover
  • Two planes landing daily at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago will be unsafe
  • 18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled in the next hour
  • 20,000 incorrect prescriptions will be written this year
  • 114,000 mismatched shoes will be shipped this year
  • 315 entries in Webster’s Dictionary will turn out to be misspelled

(information taken from Insight)

 

First, Jesus noticed the “small things.” He recognized the beauty of a flower (Mt 6:28), the death of a bird (Mt 10:29), the value of a penny (Mk 12:42), gratitude of a deed (Lk 17:15-18) and the devotion of a believer (Lk 7:37-46).

 

Second, small things can destroy. Peter was brought down by the voice of a ‘servant’ girl (Mt 26:6, 71), not a powerful soldier.

 

  • A little fault may ruin a character. A person may be very talented but have one fault, and be a failure. Did you ever hear someone say, “I like that person, except he is always talking about himself?” Or, “that person is a good man, but he is lazy.” Or, “That person will give you the shirt off his back, but he likes the bottle to much.” A little pride (Pv 16:18), envy (Jas 3:16), greed (Acts 5:3-4) lust (Mt 5:27-29), or malice (Eph 4:31), can lead to a big problem. A little social drinking (Prov 20:1) or a being a little “critical” can bring on great consequences. The tongue is a little member, but it can kindle a great strife (Jas 3:5).

 

  • A little sin will condemn us. God watches the “small stuff.” He knows the intentions of the hear. God know every word that we speak. God does not classify sins as “big or little.” The Bible doe not teach “mortal or venal” sins. All are the same with God (Rev 21:8). Wrong is wrong with God. There is no way to reshape wrong so it becomes right.

 

  • A little false doctrine will poison the soul. God has always demanded the truth (Gal 1:6-8). Notice how often it is mention in the preacher books (1 Tim 1:10; 2 Tim 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9). Every word of the Bible matters (Mt 28:20; 4:4). If it is in the Bible, it is important.

 

Small stuff can lead to big trouble. What about a decimal point out of place? What about a tiny spark in the wrong place?

 

Third, small things can make a big difference. Our verse today magnifies this in two special ways. First, to the person being helped, Jesus calls him a “little one”. He is not a big one. He is not one that can do things for you. He is not one who will repay you with a job. No, this is a little one. He likely can’t do much for you. Second, the gift or help is a cup of cold water. It’s not a case of water bottles. It’s not paying their water bill. It’s not digging a well for someone. Just one glass of water. How tiny, how insignificant and little that is. Yet, Heaven noticed. Heaven remembered.

 

It is the small things in the home and the church that really make a difference. Dad taking time to throw ball with his children. Mother helping the children with homework. These thing matter more than a large present at Christmas time. Husbands and wives doing the little things for each other will lead to a greater marriage. In the church, it is the friendly smiles, the Bible class teachers that go out of their way, the hospitality, the warmth and friendliness that visitors will remember.

 

Small things matter. They matter to God and they matter to us.

 

Roger

 

19

Jump Start # 4079

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4079

 

John 8:32 “And you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

 

I read a very interesting article the other morning about our Lord’s first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. The author of the article went into great details about Jewish weddings and how running out of wine was not only embarrassing to the host family, it could be a breach of contract. The bride’s family could sue the groom’s family because of the social blunder. The article detailed how not only did Jesus do what the groom could not do, Jesus did it in abundance in quantity and excellence in quality. Those were the common trademarks of God. He always brought the best. Such was a mirror to the Cross.

 

Loved the article and was very helpful. But in thinking on it, the author gave no references, detailed no footnotes, and never told his readers how he knew that Jewish weddings were like that. And, that thought led to some more thoughts.

 

The Bible landed in a time, culture and history that was already set and taking place. The more we understand those things the more insight into “why” certain things are asked and certain things are done. Reading the Bible with American eyes and with an American culture, can sometimes miss the settings and the backgrounds of what is going on. There are many resources that are rich in explaining things that helps us to understand. For instance, it seems very odd to us that Queen Esther could not just go talk to her husband, the king without being summoned. It’s odd, because that’s not the way our culture is. We see our President and the First Lady walking together to a helicopter, sitting together at a banquet, riding in the presidential car side by side. There is no formal appointment that she must make to talk to him. Our culture and Persian culture are not the same.

 

Good Bible classes will help us to understand the culture of ancient times and that will bring more insight and life to the verses of the Bible we study. I do this all the time.

 

HOWEVER, and there always seems to be a however hovering around, consider:

 

First, if we are not careful, we feel that it is necessary to rely upon these extra outside histories in order to know the Bible. Without admitting it, we conclude that we cannot know God’s word without these extra tools.  And, that makes us struggle with our verse today. Jesus said we can know the truth. Can I know it with just the Bible? Nothing but the Bible?

 

What about those believers who lived in small villages in Europe in the 1200’s? Many could barely read. They did not have access to universities, books and other studies. Was it possible for those people to know God’s word? Could they go to Heaven with just the Bible?

 

Second, our advance knowledge into cultures, languages, histories can make us believe that we are superior to others who do not know these things. Our insights and understanding of cultures can lead to thinking that we are more spiritual than those who don’t know these things. We may be able to dive deeply into Babylonian history and culture, but the ole’ farmer who has worn out his Bible though decades of reading may very well have a better understanding of the Lord than we do. Because we may know the gender of a word, and where the root word is from, does not mean that we are better than that simple farmer. There is always a place for learning. But intellectualism is just a step or two from arrogance.

 

Our Lord understood the value of speaking to the people. He chose a language that they could understand. He used illustrations that they would have seen in everyday life. He brought the message to the people. You don’t find the Lord using words that few understood. You don’t see Him explaining complex theories that only a handful would have understood. One doesn’t need a dictionary in one hand and a Bible in the other hand to understand the Lord.

 

Third, our times have made amazing strides and advancement in understanding the cultures that the Bible was placed in. Do your home work and check things out and not just take them for granted. Don’t be afraid to learn more about the life, the times, the cultures that our Bibles were a part of.

 

In the end, “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word.”

 

Roger