20

Jump Start # 4116

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

Jump Start # 4116

 

1 Kings 22:13 “Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, ‘Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.’”

 

Micaiah is a little known prophet tucked away in our Old Testaments. But, what a great man of faith and valor. Israel, under Ahab, had joined Judah, under Jehoshaphat, to go to war against Syria. Ahab’s yes men, his prophets, had given a green light to this arrangement. Jehoshaphat wanted a prophet of God to approve of this. It seems that Jehoshahat knew Ahab’s prophets weren’t the real deal. So Micaiah is summoned. Ahab hates this prophet because he tells the truth and has little good to say about Ahab.

 

As messengers show up to get Micaiah, as our verse shows us, he is told in advane to speak favorably. All the other prophets have. The pressure is on. Get in line with everyone else. Don’t be difficult. Don’t be different. But, in a true statement of faith, Micaiah says, “What the Lord says to me, that I shall speak” (14).  As Micaiah tells Ahab the truth, he is slapped in the face and then tossed into prison. And, as the Lord spoke, the kings went into battle and Ahab was killed.

 

There are some great lessons for us from this page of our Bibles:

 

First, it is easy when we don’t like the message, to attack the messenger. Get mad at the preacher because he simply read the word of God to you. You didn’t like what the Bible said. Rather than change your ways, you challenge the messenger. Time to change preachers. Let’s go to another church. We do those things, all the while our Bibles continue to read the same.

 

Second, some make up their minds even before they hear what God says. Micaiah was told to make his message favorable. Water down the word. Don’t offend anyone. Some don’t want to hear the word baptism in a sermon. Some don’t want any reference to doctrine in sermons. Some enter with the attitude that I am not going to change. We sure can act like kids at times. Put some green veggies on the plate and some kids have already made up their minds that they won’t like it. Worse, they won’t even try it. Offer them M & Ms for just taking one bite and they will refuse. Stubborn, they can be. And, when it comes to preaching and the Bible, we can be just as stubborn. Made my mind up years ago and that’s just the way it is, even if years ago, that was not right. Just let God speak through His word. Let God define the words He chooses. Faith comes from the word of God, not what I want or think it ought to read.

 

Third, Ahab should have known better. He was the king of God’s people. He had the law. The truth can be painful. Recognizing that you are not right humbles you. Knowing that you ought to apologize is a hard place to be in.  Judah’s king wanted verification from a prophet. He got the truth. And, it’s that truth that can sting us and make us wish that we hadn’t asked for the truth. Those tough conversations are often hard to have. Moms and dads must have them with their teens. Shepherds must have them with the flock. Ignoring issues because they are delicate, controversial or people may leave must not ever enter the picture when we are trying to lead people to Jesus. Be gentle. Be kind. But, you must be truthful. When you see something that is obviously wrong and you fail to say anything, as Ezekiel tells us about the watchman on the tower, then we are responsible. If we speak the truth in kindness but are ignored, then that person is responsible. All we can do is tell the truth.

 

What the Lord says, I will speak. What a great motto to live by. What a great statement of faith and courage. Ahab wouldn’t like what the prophet said, but he would know. The truth was spoken. Don’t let pressure, paycheck, or popularity keep you from speaking what the Lord says.

 

What the Lord says, I will speak.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

17

Jump Start # 4115

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4115

 

Psalms 147:10 “He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.”

 

Many years ago, singer Shania Twain had a song titled, “That don’t impress me much.” That’s a very good definition of this passage. God isn’t impressed. The strength of a horse…the legs of a man—boy, we can get impressed. I got to see Secretariat up close at the Claiborne farm in Lexington. I’ve seen race cars that had many “horse power” fly down the straight aways at Indy. Soccer. Baseball. Football. Basketball. We keep the records of the best. Those who could do what very few others could do. They are the MVPs of their sport. They make the Hall of Fame for their achievements. We talk about them years later. Here in Southern Indiana, people still talk about Larry Bird. Peyton Manning, could be the governor of the state if he ever ran. People love the best.

 

But, what impresses us God takes no pleasure in. He’s not impressed. His head isn’t turned by records being broken or hall of fame status. It’s hard to impress the one who made everything, parted seas, opened prison doors, made the sun stand still, kept a wayward prophet alive in the belly of a giant fish. Impress God? I don’t think so.

 

But, it’s not just athletics that impresses us. The square footage of a house. The size of a TV screen. The brand of a watch. Those things can make us think that someone is somebody special. However, there were a couple of times in the Gospel when Jesus marveled. They always surrounded faith. The faith of the Canaanite woman impressed Jesus. What a poor widow put in the collection plate impressed Jesus. What didn’t impress Jesus was the doubting fear that the disciples often manifested.

 

So, here are some reminders for us:

 

First, you do not have to do something great to impress God. You don’t have to go overseas and preach in difficult places to impress Jesus. A simple house mom who is trying to get her young children to grow to be honest servants and trust the Lord can be more impressive to Heaven than months of overseas travel. Giving a up of cold water, as insignificant as that can be, was noticed by Heaven (Mt 10:42).

 

Second, you do not have to go to a college run by our brethren to impress God. Some get the idea that because they go to a certain school, they are more spiritual than those who didn’t go. Shame on such thinking. What happened before those schools were even around? Spirituality is about walking with the Lord where you are. If one desires to go to such a school, and they don’t drown in debt doing so, good for them. But that does not mean they are better, brighter or more spiritual than those who didn’t go. The same is true about reading the latest book by the latest author. Good if you have, but don’t think that gives you a step ahead of those who didn’t read that. Be impressed with what impresses God.

 

Third, our perspective and faith helps us to see clearly what is important to the Lord. I have driven some very expensive sports cars. I have sat in cars that cost more than my house. I have eaten in club houses that I could never afford a membership in. I have walked through palaces and castles and sat in rooms where the greatest, such as Mozart, preformed. Does that make me more blessed, better, or more favored than the guy who still lives in the county he was born in? Nope. Walking by faith is what catches the eye of God. Inviting someone to services, giving a listening ear to someone, being a friend, knowing the word of God—these are the things of life. These are the things that build fellowship. Perspective.

 

What caught my eye this past Sunday, was an older brother who has had all kinds of health issues, shuffling into the church building with a walker. What caught my eye, was a family with several small children all worshipping together. What caught my eye was a couple wanting to take the right steps forward to walking closer with the Lord. What caught my eye was a brother asking if we could have lunch this week. What caught my eye was a preacher pouring his heart out to the audience to get them to know the Lord.

 

Did you see the fussy baby? No, that didn’t catch my eye. Did you see the people leaving early? No, that didn’t catch my eye. Did you see the young man fumbling with Scriptures? No, that didn’t catch my eye. Did you see who came in late? No, that didn’t catch my eye. Did you see who was wearing shorts? No, that didn’t catch my eye. Did you see how many times people went out to the bathroom? No, that didn’t catch my eye.

 

By, the way, did you see the Lord? That caught my eye.

 

Roger

 

16

Jump Start # 4114

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4114

 

John 12:21 “these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, ’Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’” 

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

We Wish to See Jesus

 

 

A group of Greeks asked Philip, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (Jn 12:21). There are many who are looking for a Jesus to be a good buddy. Others want to find a Jesus that will accept and permit sinful behavior. Some want a funny Jesus. Each of these are a type of Jesus are defined by man and not the Scriptures.

 

When we approach the Scriptures with: “We wish to see Jesus,” we get a very clear image of God in the flesh.

 

No one ever cared as Jesus cared. Jesus demonstrated his love for the world by caring for a Samaritan woman; by extending grace to a woman caught in adultery; by encouraging children to come around him; by praying for Peter who he knew would deny him. Jesus cared as no one ever cared.

 

No one ever taught as Jesus taught. The crowds marveled at his teaching. He asked soul searching questions. He used simple stories to teach powerful eternal truths. Jesus demonstrated that he was “the way, the truth and the life.”

 

No one ever lived as Jesus lived. Jesus practiced what he preached. He was tempted. He was tested. He was probed with hard questions. The Scriptures teach that Jesus was without sin (Heb. 4:15). No one ever lived as Jesus lived.

 

  No one ever died as Jesus died. The death of Jesus paid the price for all sin for all time (1 Jn. 2:1-2). His death and resurrection defeated Satan. It is through his death that we have life.

 

No one ever demanded as Jesus demanded. Jesus accepts no way but His way. Jesus expects each of us to take up our cross and follow Him. Jesus said, “If you love, keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). Jesus wants us to forgive, even as He as forgive us (Eph 4:32). Jesus wants us to love as he loves us (Eph 5: 25). Jesus want us to be holy, because he is holy (1 Pet 1:16).

 

We wish to see Jesus…

 

Roger

March, 1999

 

15

Jump Start # 4113

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4113

 

1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”

 

Well, I did it the other day. I don’t think I would have done it on my own had I not be prompted to do it. My son Jordan who preaches in Dallas asked me recently, “Dad, have you ever had Ai anaylze your sermons?” I thought, “Why would I? Do I want a punch in the stomach? What does Ai know about preaching?” Preaching is creativity. Preaching is an extension of one’s personality. Would Ai get that?

 

I caved in and asked Ai to critique my sermons—what are my strengths and weaknesses. The results were not what I would have listed. Under greatest strengths Ai said: “You preach with a shepherd’s heart; You see the big picture of Scripture; Your sermons are memorable; You preach hope; You understand pacing.”

 

Then under “Areas that could be stronger: Sometimes you move too quickly (Often you see connections instantly. Your audience doesn’t); Let the emotion linger; allow more vulnerability.” Then under “Something distinctive about your preaching” Ai said “You leave a congregation not with dependence upon you but confidence in Christ.”

 

Well, after that little exercise, I asked Ai to compare my preaching with my son Jordan. Ai made a chart comparing our styles. Mine was considered  “Pastoral, reflective.” Jordan’s was “energetic, direct.” Then Ai said our preaching was most alike: both of you preach Scripture first; both care about transformation; both genuinely love the church.”

 

Then Ai showed the differences in our preaching. Ai said my preaching was “like sitting beside a trusted grandfather. Jordan’s preaching reminds me more of a coach.” Jordan’s strengths, according to Ai was “freshness, pace, bold challenge.” Ai then said, “What I suspect people experience after hearing Jordan, ‘that challenged me.’ After hearing me, ‘that steadied me.’ Both are valuable, Ai said. One stirs the heart to action and the other anchors the soul for the journey. Ai ended this comparison by saying: “Jordan often preaches with the energy of a builder. You preach with the wisdom of a shepherd.”

 

It seemed to me that Ai was being overly kind, generous and complimentary. There were some statements that I’d probably question and even push back on, but I wonder how many sermons Ai has preached? Writing sermons and delivering sermons are not the same. Often what looks great on paper doesn’t come across that way when preached.

 

I wondered what Ai would say about me as a person? Or, what would Ai say about my walk with the Lord? It’s one thing to get the approval of others but what the Lord says matters most. Ai would likely say that Jesus moved too quickly from subject to subject in the sermon on the mount. What others say is secondary to what the Lord says.

 

Ai is a tool. Like any tool, it can be helpful and useful or it can control us and be used for wrong things. Don’t be afraid of it. Find positive ways to use it in kingdom work.

 

I wonder if we analyzed Paul’s sermons with Peter’s sermons with Apollo’s sermons what we’d find out? The Corinthians didn’t think too highly of Paul’s preaching. Apollos is described as being fervent in speech. Our competitive spirits would want to find out which one was the best. Is there such a thing in preaching? Isn’t the best sermons the ones that move me closer to the Lord?

 

Now, will the Ai examination of my sermons be on my mind the next time I’m in the pulpit? As I prepare to retire from local preaching, I am still interested in how to be better. I want to improve and be the best that I can for sake of the Lord.

 

Preaching is a funny thing. Everyone in the audience has an idea of how it should be. The best resource is God’s word.

 

Roger

 

14

Jump Start # 4112

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4112

 

Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”

 

Our thoughts today surround the idea of leadership. Built into these contrasts of righteous and wicked and rejoicing and groaning is the impact and influence that hearts have upon others. Some may read into this passage American politics. Like the President, don’t like the President, times of rejoicing or times of groaning, good times, terrible times, I think there is a much better and spiritual direction that this passage points us to.

 

Think about the home: when a wicked parent rules, the children groan. And, such is our society these days. Selfish parents who neglect their kids or expect the school or church to raise them while they are off playing and having fun. The children grow and repeat to a worse degree what they saw growing up. There is no incentive to change or do better.

 

But when righteousness fills the home, what a wonderful experience the children witness. Growing up with prayers around the table, Bibles being read, worship as a regular part of their lives, and goodness and sharing running through their veins, hope, optimism and faith are the outcome.

 

Sometimes the quick fix to groaning is simply buying another toy. But that’s not the solution at all. With wickedness comes fear and that leads to the groaning. Toys won’t change that. What needs to be changed is the heart of the parents. It is amazing to see the contrast between poor children from India and American children. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen a group of children playing soccer with a ball that was made from duck tape and twine. The kids were laughing, running and having a blast. In contrast, American kids stare at electronic screens most of the day, isolated from each other and seem bored, lost and lonely. Closets stuffed full of clothes and toys, they need interaction with each other and with adults.

 

In our moving process, we’ve had a lot of boxes. A lot! The grandkids were over one day and they started playing with the boxes. That got me playing with them in the boxes. Best times. Laughter filled the air. Just plain ordinary boxes. Put in some imagination and those boxes become boats and they are tossed by the waves. Pretend there are sharks in the water and now they are battling in a struggle for life. Mom calls down that it’s time for dinner, and they don’t want to stop playing. It’s nothing special, just spending sometime with them on their level. But when all the parents are upstairs looking on their phones and they scream, “go play,” groaning takes place.

 

But, consider our passage through the lens of the church. One might reason that wicked people should not be leading, let alone in the church with that kind of heart, yet, many congregations are led by leaders who are indifferent to what is going on, out of touch and set in their ways. And, the people groan. Instead of being shepherds, the people view them as dictators who do not seem to care what the flock is experiencing.

 

The way through this is to encourage the leaders to connect and get to know the flock. Invite guest speakers who can help improve the situation. But, when the church has righteous leaders who care about the flock, that spirit will fill the air. There will be love and trust towards the leaders. Others will want to be leaders.

 

Ruled by righteous or ruled by wickedness. Leaders are responsible for the way and the direction that they take people. This is true in the home. This is true in the church. When God gave men the right to be the head, that does not mean dad gets to watch whatever he wants on the big TV. No. It means he is leading his family, his flock, towards God. The head is where the responsibility lies. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God addressed Adam. He was the head. He was responsible. He failed.

 

Richteousness or wickedness—it’s a choice. One can change. It doesn’t have to stay bad.

 

Groaning or rejoicing—it’s a matter of how the leaders lead.

 

Roger