11

Jump Start # 4095

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4095

 

Galatians 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

The Greener Grace Syndrome

 

People often envy the very people who envy them. A preacher sat back in his chair listening to the man seated across from him complain about the difficulties he had in his life. The prominent businessman was regretting that he had chosen the line of work he was in. He knew he should be grateful. After all, since he had bought the majority position in the company, the stock had split twice. He had excellent year end bonuses. He and his wife had enjoyed visits to Europe, Australia, the Orient, and most recently, the Iron Curtain.

 

But he fought a lot of guilt. He had once pursued the pulpit, but took a side road in college that placed him in secular work for good. He went on to outline how much he envied the preacher’s knowledge of the Bible and his grasp of spiritual insights. He wished that he had the time to explore the treasures of the Bible and could have such an impact in the lives of people as the preacher had. Furthermore…

 

The preacher looked past the businessman’s tailored suit to the window through which he could see the two cars parked outside his study. They were the same color, but that was as far as the comparison could go. As soon as the appointment was over, the preacher would have to take his aging Pontiac home so that his wife could borrow it to run her errands. The odometer broke at 178,000 miles two years ago. The businessman drove the latest luxury sports car.

 

As the businessman rambled on about what a spiritual loser he was, the preacher studied the picture framed on the corner of his desk. His two children smiled so broadly and so proudly. They were too young to be self-conscious. But in a few years, they’d realize what the preacher already knew. Their teeth needed elaborate orthodontic work. But it wasn’t going to happen on his paycheck. He kept thinking of all the times the businessman had said to him, “Preacher, with your skills, you could have knocked ‘em dead in the business world.” The businessman never knew that money was one of the biggest temptations in the preacher’s life. How the preacher envied the businessman. He knew that he could never live in a house like the businessman did. He could never travel like the businessman did. The preacher had often thought of quitting preaching and going to work in a company similar to the businessman’s. Both men envied each other.

 

Changing positions wouldn’t solve either one of these men’s problems. Both men were ungrateful and unaware of the great roles that they played. Their dissatisfaction was not in what they didn’t have, but in a  failure to see what good they could do where they were. Both men were talented. Both men felt that they were missing out. The businessman felt he was a failure spiritually. The preacher felt he was a failure financially. Both men were measuring themselves by each other. They were both unhappy.

 

The more we measure our significance by other people’s accomplishments, the less we’ll be able to feel at rest in our daily lives. So often, we wish we had the other person’s job, or lifestyle.  Coveting, greed and jealousy are sins (Gal. 5:19-21). We need to be content. We need to be ourselves. We need to do all that we can with our abilities. Wondering what might have been, only makes us lonely and depressed. It makes us feel like failures. It makes us worry. Both the businessman and the preacher need to realize that God has gifted them and given them unique opportunities to serve Him in their own worlds. The businessman with his resources could do much good for the kingdom financially. With his many contacts, the businessman is given opportunity to reach many people for the Lord. The preacher with his abilities could change lives and enrich them for the kingdom. Both men are needed. Both could do a lot of good.

 

Don’t waste time wishing you were doing something else. Find ways to serve the Lord right where you are.

 

The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but it still has to be cut just the same.

 

Roger

April, 2009

 

10

Jump Start # 4094

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4094

Acts 12:10 “When they had passed te first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street and immediately the angel departed from them.”

 

Our verse today details Peter’s escape from prison. This wasn’t a daring picking the locks, overcoming the guards and taking hostages, like the scenes from a movie. In fact, this wasn’t Peter’s idea. He was deep in the prison, chained with two guards on either side of him, asleep. There were guards at the door keeping watch. There was no escaping, except when God gets involved, there is no stopping Him. An angel was sent. There was a light in the dark prison. The chains instantly fell off. They walked past the guards, and came to an iron gate. The gate opened up for them and Peter walked out. So many miracles tucked in this deliverance from God. The Lord wanted Peter out and Peter got out.

 

But, this is much more than just a powerful historical section that shows the power of the Lord and the answer to fervent prayers. There is a parallel symbolically to our salvation. Notice four aspects layered in this section.

 

First, God loosens the chains that bind us. The chains of sin. The chains of addiction. The chains of guilt, shame and failure. We may think that there is no hope. We may believe that we will be chained forever. But, God can break us free from these chains. It’s the Gospel message that will do that. The angel told Peter to get up quickly and to put on his sandals. There was something Peter had to do. The angel could open locked doors, release chains and get by guards, but he didn’t put on Peter’s shoes. He had to do that himself.

 

It may be that the reason we still are chained to our past and our sins is that we are expecting God to put on our shoes and carry us out. God can do what we can not. But we must do what we can. You can get down to the church house and worship. You can open your Bible and believe. You can pray. You can change the circumstances that get you locked up and tied up in sin.

 

Second, God opens gates that have been closed to us. The freedom, peace and joy that God intended to dwell within our hearts has been shut out because of the dungeon we have gotten ourselves into. Moments of laughter don’t last. Vacations end. That deep satisfaction and joy can only be found when the dungeon gates are opened by God. There is a peace that surrounds our hearts that comes from God. Worry, fear and doubt stay in the dungeon once we walk out. God’s in charge. God’s got it. God’s already into tomorrow. I don’t have to try to run the universe, God will. I don’t have to solve every problem, God can. I don’t have to straighten everyone up, the Lord has that.

 

Can you imagine how fresh that night air was to Peter when he walked out. Dungeons stink. Dungeons are dirty. And, the dungeon’s of Satan are just like that.

 

Third, God can guide us through the darkness. The angel left when Peter got out into the streets of Jerusalem. Dark, Peter must have wondered at first where he was. The NAS wonderfully words this passage as: “When Peter came to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth is angel and rescued me…” Peter came to himself. We remember the Prodigal coming to himself. Peter knew for sure that the Lord was guiding him. And, when we are sure that God is leading us, through His word, we’ll find ourselves through the dark streets of culture. A lot of things are said. Not all of them are true. What we do know is true, is God’s word.

 

How fitting, long before this, the Psalmist declared that God’s word was a “lamp unto his feet.” Jesus is described as the Light of the world. There is a way that is clearly marked. There is a path that the Lord wants us to follow. God will get you through the darkness of grief, the darkness of loneliness and the darkness of trouble. In the dark, we don’t know which way to go. In the dark, it is easy to stumble and fall. But with a light on, we know.

 

Fourth, Peter was restored to the fellowship of God’s people. Out from prison, Peter didn’t run away. He didn’t hide in the forest. He made his way to Mary’s house. There with others, joy and happiness was restored. Prayers were answered. Peter was safe. Peter was home where he belonged.

 

Salvation in Christ will not only unite us back with the Lord, but it will connect us once again to God’s people. Sometimes it’s the uniting with God’s people that is difficult. Too many questions. Too many tongues wagging. Not enough hugs, tears and joy. Locked up Peter, once again was freed by the power of God.

 

We too are freed by the power of God.

 

Roger

 

09

Jump Start # 4093

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4093

 

Luke 19:42 “saying, ‘If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.”

 

Our Lord was coming to Jerusalem. It would be His final journey to the center of the Jewish faith. He had an appointment with the Cross. The previous verse tells us that as Jesus saw Jerusalem, He wept. The tears were not for Himself. It wasn’t fear, that made Jesus cry. He knew what was coming. The following verses tell of a coming invasion. Jesus knew what the citizens didn’t. Jesus knew not just tomorrow or next week, He knew years in advance.

 

There is a great expression in our verse today, “If you had known…” There is an old story about passengers traveling on a train at night. A little baby was crying and crying. A tired and agitated man shouted, “Why won’t that mother keep that baby quiet so we all can get some sleep?” Another man replied, in a soft and quivering voice, “She can’t. She’s in a coffin in the baggage car.” The first man made his way up to the baby, and gently carried the baby up and down the aisle until the baby was asleep. He handed the child back to the father, and with tears running down his face, he apologized saying, “I did not know.”

 

If you had known is a thought that would quiet many mouths and temper many harsh judgments. We can be so quick to judge and condemn. Like a gun slinger from the old west, we are ready at an instant to pull the trigger and shoot someone down that we think is doing wrong. Boy, we can be quick on the draw. A missionary who had spent months in a foreign country returns back to the States and declares, “Religion in America is shallow and fake.” But, does he know about the prisoners on death row in Alabama who fervently are studying their Bibles daily? Does he know about the high school student who has brought the gospel to so many of his friends? Does he know about the sweet widow who on a limited income has helped so many preachers through the years? Does he know about the preacher who stayed up all night sitting by the bedside of a member who was about to take their final breath? Does he know about the number of prayers that were offered by so many for his safety while he was in a foreign country?

 

To that missionary I would say, “If you had known…”

 

Here are some thoughts for us:

 

First, often we don’t know, so that ought to lead us to be helpful more than hurtful. Someone comes into worship services late. We can roll our eyes. We can sigh heavily. We can talk about them to others afterwards. But, wouldn’t it be better to go to that person and say, “I’m glad you made it today. Seeing you, made my day.” Maybe the person worked all night. Maybe he stopped on the way to help someone. Maybe he had car trouble. Or, maybe he just got up late. We are not the judge. Let the Lord do what the Lord does so well. If we had known…

 

Second, many times it’s not our business to know. We are not Heaven’s police squad assigned to hand out tickets to everyone that we think are in the wrong. So, someone comes in late. Is it our job to ask then dozens of questions, possibly making them feel worse or embarrassed? And, just what are we going to do with that information once we get it? Tell others? There is a thin line between being helpful and being nosey. It’s easy to cross that line. It can make a person feel very uncomfortable when they feel that they have to report to you about their attendance, dress and behavior during worship. I know. I’ve had people come feeling uncomfortable and I’ve had the others come with a full report about why someone wasn’t doing what they thought he should.

 

When I first started preaching, a long time ago, it used to bother me where people sat. I couldn’t understand why some sat in the very back rows. They wouldn’t do that at a show or ball game. But through the years, I’ve learned to just not be bothered by that. They could be home in bed. They could be at the lake fishing. But rather, here they are in the house of God, coming to worship and thank the Lord that they love.

 

Third, there are lots of good and wonderful things that take place during the week that most never know anything about. The encouraging phone calls. The wonderful texts that are sent. The cards that come through the mail. The food taken. The Bible studies that take place. The people invited to services. It’s easy to think nothing is going on. No one is doing anything. The church is dead. But, “if you had known,” you would be amazed. The larger the congregation, the more true this is. Prayers going upward. Bibles being opened. People being helped. Hearts that love the Lord and are trying their best.

 

Finally, this statement, “If you had known,” could well be said of the blessings of God. People that God has put in our lives to help us. Doors that the Lord has opened for us. Prayers that were answered “yes.” Angels that have been there for us. God has done so much for us and we didn’t even know.

 

If you had known…

 

Roger

 

08

Jump Start # 4092

Posted on June 8, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4092

 

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

 

The Hebrew brethren were tired, troubled and in turmoil. Their journey with the Lord had become a hard, uphill climb. It wasn’t what many thought it would be. Some stopped and turned around. Life was easier when they were simply Jews. Some were still on the fence about what they would do. Powerfully, the writer of Hebrews, who I lean towards being Apollos, shows what a mistake it would be to walk away from the Lord. Christ was the best choice, even though life was hard.

 

Now, in the final sentences of this letter, a final plea and tug on the heart is made. Remember, how powerful that is. How easy it is to forget. Remember those who came before you. Remember those who were so dedicated. Remember how they lived. Remember how they stuck with it. Imitate that faith. Imitate their faith.

 

This verse ought to ring loud and true for us as well.

 

First, all of us has someone in our lives that taught us and showed us the way of the Lord. We all stand upon the shoulders of others. It may have been a grandparent. It may have been our parents. A friend. They patiently talked to us about Jesus Christ. They showed us verses. They answered our questions. They were stayed at it with us. Their love for the Lord and our souls impressed us and touched our lives.

 

Can you put names to those people? Do you remember?

 

Sometimes those who taught us didn’t finish the course. Some had troubles in their faith and later stopped walking with the Lord. That can be hard on those who follow. Other times, through the years our knowledge, faith and strength has surpassed the ones who first taught us. We caught up with them spiritually.

 

Second, the impression of our verse leads us to believe that those who first taught the gospel to the Hebrews had completed their journey. They had passed away. A footnote in the NAS adds to the word “result” by saying “end of life.” They had died and go on to the Lord. By ending this verse with, “imitate their faith,” it appears that they kept the faith, finished the course and did what the Lord wanted them to do. We all know beloved saints who are on the other side now. So many from generations past sacrificed and dedicated themselves to the kingdom of Christ. We miss them dearly but know that they are safe in the arms of Jesus. They are home where they longed to be.

 

And, without saying it directly, the torch has been passed to the readers of this letter. The brave saints that taught and showed the way have gone to their reward. Now, who will do what they did? Now, who will teach others? Now, who will leave footprints for others to follow? If the Hebrews dropped the ball, it would impact all those who were counting on them. What examples would be left? Who would teach?

 

And, can we not see ourselves in this as well? Too busy to teach. Too involved in sports and work to serve. Too much into our lives to think about the lives of others. And, as the baton has been handed to us, what do we do with it? It’s not just about us, it’s about those who follow. What example are we leaving? How will we be remembered spiritually?

 

Third, imitate their faith. Were they perfect? No. Could they have done more? Yes. Was there mistakes and sins in their lives? Obviously. Yet, they could be imitated. Yet, they could be followed. They had a faith that finished. They had a faith that was true to the Lord. What if every person in your congregation had a faith like yours? Would the church be stronger? Would the church be weaker?

 

We all should live in such a genuine fashion that others could follow us. Someday, we will be remembered. Let it be for righteous kindness and good deeds. Let it be for the way we helped others. Let it be for walking faithfully with the Lord.

 

Remember…it’s a good thing to do.

 

Roger

 

05

Jump Start # 4091

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4091

 

Nehemiah 3:5 “Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.”

 

Our verse today comes from the section of Nehemiah that identifies the names and places where the repairing of the walls around Jerusalem were taking place. Each person had a spot. Each person had a place. Each person did what he could do. That is, except for the nobles, as our verse identifies.

 

The NLT ends this verse with these words: “their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.” Not sure what the issue was here. Did they not like each other? Was one group too good to do that kind of manual labor? As eternity has given us the names of these brilliant workers, it also left for generations to know that the leaders refused to work.

 

Leaders who won’t work is a problem. It’s a problem in the home. Absentee fathers. They may be in the house. They may bring home the paycheck. But, they are not involved with the raising of the kids. They come home and expect to be served. They want others to do what they do not want to do. Leaders who refuse to work.

 

It’s a problem in the church. Many leaders operate the church like it’s a business. They love giving orders out, especially to deacons, but they refuse to do the work. They do not want to go visit members. They do not want to have those hard conversations. They do not want to be hands on. Put them in an elder’s room where they can talk, discuss and debate the ins and outs of things, and they are happy as they can be. But doing the work is something that they do not want to do.

 

Sometimes people complain that the leaders are not doing things when actually they are. There are things going on behind the scenes that few know about. There has been phone calls and texts and visits back and forth for months. Other times, the leaders are working on several things at once. While we may feel that our problem is a priority, they may see other issues as being at the top of the list. Problems do not wait until one is solved before the next one shows up.  There can be multiple things going on at the same time. We may not see that, nor understand that.

 

But to have leaders who refuse to work, that is another problem all together.

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, some leaders do not understand what they are supposed to do. Be it dads or be it leaders in the church, it can be assumed that one just knows what to do. There needs to be some teaching and some training that takes place. Mentoring and having classes will help prepare new leaders to understand their role and what is expected of them.

 

Without some teaching, training and mentoring, one generation just does what the past generation does. If what was done before was dysfunctional, broken and not healthy, the new ones coming on will just continue that pattern. The way to break that cycle is to look deeply at shepherding, parenting and leading.

 

Second, pride can also play a major role in this. There are some who believe that they have all the answers and there is nothing more that they can learn. That arrogance will limit growth and feed into a rebellion or a split. All of us can learn. All of us can improve. And older leader can learn from a younger leader.

 

Third, when others are working and they see the leaders are not, it will cause the work to slow down or stop. Why should we do the work when the leaders don’t? But, when the younger ones see the older ones working hard, it sends a great spirit of encouragement through the group. Team work happens. Together great things are accomplished.

 

The leaders refused to work, but Nehemiah didn’t. He was busy all the time. He was praying all the time. He was connected and encouraging all the time.

 

Leaders who refuse to work…not something one wants to hear.

 

Roger