22

Jump Start # 4118

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

Jump Start # 4118

 

1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

 

Peter Drucker is known as the gru in buisness management. He authored several books on management skills. One of his quotes that I like is: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Instead of being a passenger going for a ride, be the driver that determines the direction and the destination that you are going.

 

In theory this sounds powerful and good. But, as Solomon reminds us, “the race isn’t always to the swift and the battle isn’t always to the warriors,” for time and chance overtake them all. But there are some action steps that we can take that can shape our future and often will prevent a lot of heartache and trouble.

 

First, Think things through. Prepare your minds for action, is what Peter said. Set your mind on things above is what Paul wrote. James said to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Don’t just react nor move on emotions or the moment, think things out. Our words and actions are witnessed by others, and if not careful, that witness can be rather disappointing and discouraging. Esau didn’t think things through when he came in hungry and sold his birthright for a common meal. Impulsive buyers often have buyer’s remorse. THINK…THINK…THINK

 

Second, don’t be satisfied with what is quick and easy. Peter says, “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior.” Being holy is not the same as doing holy things. “Be” is what we are. It’s becoming that. Be holy. Let that be your DNA. That happens when we learn to say “no,” to certain things. It happens when we purposely set as our agenda, the things of God. When we make it our ambition to please the Lord, then things begin to fall in place. For the strong, Sunday is a given. We’ll be at worship. For the weak, every Sunday is an unsettled choice. Do we go to church or stay home? What do you feel like doing? Be holy. That answers that question.

 

Third, put things into action. Prepare your mind. Keep sober in spirit. Fix your hope. Do not be conformed. Be holy. The disciple must get things out of his mind and heart and put some shoes on to those ideas. Let your light shine, is what our Lord said.

 

These three steps, think—become– do, won’t control all of your future, but it will certainly put you on a trajectory that is pointed towards the Lord. Many troubles will be avoided because of these three steps. And, in many ways, these three steps are generating a new direction and a new future for you.

 

Shaping your future…it’s in your hands.

 

Roger

 

 

 

21

Jump Start # 4117

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

Jump Start # 4117

 

Judges 8:4 “Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing.”

 

Gideon was leading the army of God. They were on the march. They were tired. They were tired, yet they were still going. They were pursuing. This verse seems to define my days lately. A lot of projects going on. A lot of people to see. A lot of shifting from here to there. A lot of road time. And, a lot of weariness.

 

Often in our classes and sermons we focus upon getting people involved. Get off the sidelines and into the game of life. Get busy in the kingdom. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and get about God’s work. But, on the other side of this, are those who are doing those very things. They are working hard. They are teaching, inviting and being busy in the kingdom. They are weary. We don’t say much about that crowd. They are the silent heroes of every congregation. Need a volunteer to teach, and once again, that wreary hand is raised. You can count on me, I’ll do it. Need some extra work around the church house on a Saturday morning. And, just who is it that shows up? Those that do so much.

 

It’s easy to develop a consumer type of faith. Here am I, serve me. Like a giant cruise ship, it’s easy to think, they don’t need me and I just park my talents and let the others do it. I just enjoy the ride. The men of Gideon were wreary, yet they were pursuing.

 

Here are some thoughts for those who are always serving:

 

First, it is not a sin to take a break. Jesus did. God did. God taught Israel to take a Sabbath rest. For the busy mind, rest seems like being lazy and we’d hate to be called that. So, we continue to push ourselves and often the quality of the work suffers because we can’t give it our full attention. We are tired. Resting the mind and the heart is as important as resting the body. Get yourself recharged. Preacher, it’s not a shame to use your vacations. Take them. Get out of Dodge, and slip in some place as a visitor. It will be good for you.

 

Second, our salvation is not measured by how much we do. If it were, then we are saved by works and not grace. We work because we love the master. We work because we want to add value to the kingdom. We work because we want the kingdom to thrive. Some have more talents than others. Some can do much more than others. Just do what you can. You are not going to lose your soul if you do not volunteer every time there is a need.

 

Third, we cannot change nor fix everything. Some things are not in our realm to fix. Some things do not want to be fixed. Sometimes the problem is larger than we are and we are not capable of fixing it. We try and we try, but we simply cannot fix everything.

 

Fourth, even though we are exhausted, we need to keep going. Now, some are tired because they stayed up too late. Others have worn themselves out in the pursuit of happiness and selfishness. But some are truly tired because they are teaching yet another class this quarter. They are busy having Bible classes in their home. It would be good to give your preacher a break now and then. Let him rest his mind. Burnout is a real threat among preachers. We are not superman, even though some may want to be.

 

There is a sweet rest awaiting those who are wearing themselves out in the kingdom. It’s the busy that God calls to duty. It’s the busy that will get things done. It’s the busy that won’t stop until a task is completed.

 

God bless the busy disciples in the kingdom. They continue to make an impact and a major difference in our lives and in the kingdom.

 

Roger

 

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