28

Jump Start # 700

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 700

 

Ecclesiastes 12:12 “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”

Our Jump Start today hits another milestone for us—# 700. We continue to gain more readers and we are thankful for that. Each time we have hit a milestone, we have paused, reflected, and made a few comments. Originally we started this for the folks at the congregation where I preach. Through many of those incredible people, our readership grew and grew. Today, nearly 1,000 people are reading these. That amazes me! So many of you have sent  kind words to continue writing these Jump Starts. These Jump Starts have been used in church bulletins, sermons and classes. They have been sent to people who are struggling and having hard times. They have crossed the ocean and are read in other countries. For all of that, I am thankful.

What’s next for our Jump Starts? I plan to continue writing, at least for now. I hope to do more mini-themes with these. I appreciate so much hearing from you. Many have sent in suggestions for me to write about and those have been helpful. For our new readers, our Jump Starts are not intended to be an exhaustive textual study. You won’t find many quotes or references to scholarly writings. This is just a quick, easy and reflective read to help us start our day. I am a firm believer that how the day begins often sets the tone for that day. If I start it running behind, in a bad mood and grumpy, by the end of the day, I just need to be put out with the trash. However, if I can start with a verse, and reflect upon that in a personal and positive way, then that will help me. Throughout the day, I may go back to that verse that I began the day with. As I dwell upon it, chew on it, meditate upon it, it has a way of working on my heart.

 

Our verse today, from Solomon, reminds us that the excess devotion to books is weary. There are too many things to read. We can spend all of our day reading and still not touch all that we want to read. A walk through a major bookstore can be expensive and overwhelming. But there is one book that draws our attention above all others, and that is the Bible. Nothing replaces the Bible.

 

Reading the Bible connects us to God and it opens our eyes to His will for us. The words that God chose, the way in which He states things is amazing. I especially like seeing how Jesus interacted with various people in the Gospels. He was brilliant. He knew just what to say and just how to say it. Look at those things. Reflect. In time and in a limited manner, you too, start interacting that way. The Bible has that affect upon us. After a while, it molds and shapes us and we find that we think differently, we react differently and that we are a different people than what we were just a few years ago. That’s the living word working in a good and honest heart. We can spend so much time reading things about the Bible, including these Jump Starts, that we fail to read the Bible itself. Don’t fall into that trap. Read His word. Know His word. Before long, you’ll be able to quote some verses. That is amazing! Before long, you will know exactly where things are found. Becoming so familiar with the word that it is like spending time with a dear friend. You never grow weary of the time you are together, and so it is with God’s word.

We are living in times when too many folks simply do not know God’s word. That is shaping our country. Attitudes, definitions of life, choices people make all reflect an ignorance of God’s word. It is hurting our country. We must continue on, staying on course. That is the only hope. God’s word is what is right. Become a people of the book!

Roger

 

27

Jump Start # 699

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 699

Colossians 1:27 “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

 

We have looked this week at the activity of God in the lives of disciples. God taught us. God works through us. God is for us. Each of those are powerful expressions that illustrate the relationship, love and care that God has for His people. God wants us to spend forever with Him. Those verses show that God is not finished with us. He is still working with us, in us and for us. We are a work in progress. The work of His kingdom is not completed. It is on going and we are a part of that.

Our verse today expresses the idea that Christ is in us. That is repeated several places in the N.T. Paul told the Galatians that he no longer lived, but Christ lived in Him. There are some things we need to understand about the expression, “Christ is in you.”

1. This does not mean that I am God. That will never be. Christ in me does not mean I am Christ. That was never the intention of that expression.

2. It likewise does not mean that God is everywhere and everything, like the New Age philosophy taught. The tree is God, the sky is God, we are God. No. Not at all. God is a living being. He is not a rock, a mountain, or the rain.

3. It does not mean that I am capable of doing what Christ could do. I am not miraculous nor can I do miracles. I am not inspired. I cannot read minds or the hearts of others. Christ was. Christ in me does not mean I can do those things. It also does not mean that I am sinless. Christ was. Never did He do wrong. Never did He have to apologize. Never did He have to repent. I can’t say that.

What it does mean and what it is referring to is relationship and fellowship. Christ in us means unity. Same goals. Same purpose. Same desires. Spiritually living…God’s will prevailing…His kingdom growing…living for Heaven—that’s what Christ is after. When I am after those things, Christ is in me. It is as if we are on the same side, the same team. Unison and harmony is the key. A piano note is like this. A person can hit a key and it plays a note. Inside the piano, each note is actually three separate strings that the hammer strikes. When a piano is in tune, you hear one beautiful note. It is that way with God. Individually, we are separate strings. When we are in tune with God it sounds like one beautiful note.

This thought presents a great responsibility upon us. Christ in us means that we are showing the world the characteristics of a life governed by Christ. Kindness, compassion, grace, patience, attitude, spirituality, and love ought to highlight our demeanor and our choices. When we lose our cool, we show that Christ doesn’t do much for us. When we act selfish, demanding and ugly, the way of Christ hasn’t conquered us. Christ is not at the wheel when those things happen. We will never convert someone with our words, until we capture their attention with our actions. The two cannot be opposites. Christ in us has to change us. Ephesians and Colossians detail the new life and the new person in Christ. Gone are the wicked, crooked ways that we once lived. Honesty, truthfulness and godliness dominate our thinking and our behavior.

Christ in us is not a badge, a position nor a bragging point, but rather, a way of living. Christ lives in us when we act that way. There are many places Christ could choose to dwell. He could dwell in a palace. He could be on display in a museum. He could be found only in the most talented among us. Instead, He chose to live in the hearts of those who will bow down to Him and walk in His steps. How impressive is that?

This also means that you are never alone, not if Christ is in you. That relationship cannot be separated by anyone else. They can imprison you, but Christ remains in you. They can isolate you, but Christ remains in you. They can put you in a far away place, all by yourself, but Christ is in you. He only leaves when I walk away from Him. I alone decide whether He will live in me or not. When I break fellowship with Him, then the bond is severed. Those words are good to remember. No one can separate us from Christ. That thought is how Paul ends Romans 8. He lists seven terrible things—including violence (sword), resistance (persecution), hardships (perils), natural disasters (famine). None of these things can sever that bond we have in Jesus.

Christ is in us—what a great thought. What a great relationship. What a great responsibility.

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 698

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 698

Romans 8:31  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

We are running a little theme this week with our Jump Starts. Monday, we looked at being “taught by God.” Yesterday, we considered God working in us. Our passage today shows that God is for us. Together, these verses remind us that God is not idle in our journey through this world. He wants us. He wants us to be with Him. He teaches. He works in us. He is for us.

The setting we find our verse today, is a series of questions that Paul asks.

  • If God is for us, who is against us? (31)
  • Will He not also freely give us all things? (32)
  • Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? (33)
  • Who is the one who condemns? (34)
  • Who will separate us from the love of Christ? (35)

These verses and questions remind us of the enduring love and care of God. No one is greater than God. No one can stop God. No one can limit God. If God is behind you, there is nothing to fear. If God is on you side, nothing can stop you.

I get the impression from some, that life is like a giant game. We are on the field trying to win. On one side of the stadium is Satan. He is booing us. He wants us to lose. Up in the stands, are the heroes of Hebrews 11, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And then there is God on the other side. He is cheering for us to win. There have been books written describing this view of life. It may make a great read, but it’s not the way it is. God and Satan are doing much more than cheering from the stands.

 

Satan is actively trying to tempt you and trip you. He will use any trick that he can. He will use people, things and places. He doesn’t go by the rules, so he will be dishonest, offer false promises and lie. He doesn’t care who he hurts, especially you. He doesn’t care that your feelings are hurt, your mind is confused, or that you want him to leave you alone. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care that you are a new Christian, someone that is very busy, or someone that has a lot of people counting upon you. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care that his temptation may ruin your marriage and hurt your family. He doesn’t care that his temptation may cause you to get fired from work, lose your home and be in a real mess. He doesn’t care that you may get arrested, addicted, or shunned by everyone in your family. He simply doesn’t care. Satan is no in the stands cheering, he is a roaring lion, seeking someone, especially you, to devour.

 

God, likewise, is not in the stands simply waving a pennant with your name on it. He is for you. He is with you. He guards your heart, if you will allow it. He will not allow you to be overcome, if you will follow Him. His way will get your past Satan. He knows how to get through the valleys and the darkness of life. His way leads to a robust marriage, powerful friendships, and a purpose in life that is meaningful and makes a difference to others. His word will make you put the breaks on things. His teachings will mold your conscience and guide you. Guilt will make you stop before you go over the edge. Worship will help you get your perspective in order. God is for you. He wants you to succeed, not financially, but spiritually. He wants you to make it to Heaven.

There will be reminders, all sent by God. He will put people in your life, such as parents, preachers, and godly brethren, who will remind you to keep doing right. They will challenge you when you venture off the path. Why is it this way? It’s not just your parents…it’s God. He is for you. He will not sit back and watch you crash your life without doing something. God’s word serves as a reminder. The words of the Bible pop up in different places. There they are. We know those words. They are God’s fingers pointing us back to Him. God is for you.

We are never alone in our spiritual journey. Paul understood this. When standing before the Roman courts, all had deserted him, except God. God strengthened him. God was with him. So it is for us. You do not go alone into surgery, God is with you. You do not stand up to your boss alone, God is with you. You do not remind the church of what is right by yourself, God is with you. He is always where right can be found. He is wanting you to be with Him.

God loves and wants the best. Unlike Satan, who doesn’t care, God does. Everything about God is good and right and beneficial. Everything about Satan is dark, broken and wrong. Satan doesn’t do anything right. Satan promises but never delivers. God, promises and you can count on those.

In a strange twist of things, God is for us, but often I wonder who we are for? God is doing everything He can to get us to Heaven, but our feet aren’t moving. We are standing still. God is thinking more about our soul than we are. God cares about us more than we care about our selves. Very odd, but so true! If God is for me, am I for Him? Do I love Him? He sure loves you. Do I defend Him, or do I let others say blasphemous things about Him? Do I support Him by attending worship, giving, and being a real citizen in His kingdom?

Ever notice the fans in a college football game—you can tell which side they are pulling for. They wear their team colors. Some wave team colored pompoms. Some have their faces painted. They are all about their team. There is no doubt which side they are for. Now how about this spiritually?

 

God is for us…who are you for?

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 697

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 697

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

Yesterday, our passage stated that the disciples were “taught by God.” Our verse today tells us that God is at work in us. That is helpful to know. That reveals some interesting thoughts for us to consider.

First, God is not finished with His work, nor is He finished with you. Sometimes it is easy to think that once the Bible was written, God went into retirement. No more walls to knock down like at Jericho, no more seas to part, like Moses did at the Red Sea, no more sun to stand still like for Joshua. No more prison doors to open as with Paul. Those make great and powerful lessons, but though things are of the past. Because the age of miracles has past, it is easy to assume that God has gone into hibernation. His work is finish. He is just waiting. How untrue those thoughts are. God is at work. God continues to be at work. He works in YOU. Our verse reminds us that God is still active. God’s work is not finished, not yet.

 

Second, our verse reminds us that it is neither God who does it all, nor is it us, who do it all. But together, much like a team, or better yet, as in a fellowship, God works with us. He uses us to accomplish His will. The song, “The World’s Bible” reminds us that  we are God’s hands, feet and eyes. We can only work with God when we do things His way. It is His  salvation and His will in these things. When folks leave the Bible and begin establishing and doing things that are not found in the Bible, do you think that God remains with them and works with them, in endeavors that are not according to His pattern? That won’t happen. When man leaves God’s way, he works alone. God is not working with that person. Sobering thoughts to remind us of the importance of following God’s will.

 

Thirdly, what God  is after is the completion of His  will. His agenda  is  spiritual. His goal is Heaven. God doesn’t work in us to get us raises, trophies, recognition or praise. God’s will is not about our egos, our pride, nor our self esteem. His  will is for all to be saved (2 Pet 3:9). God  works in us to fulfill that. By walking with God through the Bible, we learn, we become, and we conquer. This is what God is working toward in your life. It’s not a bigger house, that God is after, but bigger hearts. It’s not more stuff, but more souls. God  wants you to be  close  to Him.

Fourth, our verse reminds us that we are not alone. God is there. God is working with us. God has doors to open that are  locked to us. God can do things that no one  else can. The  journey of going into all the world is scary and a huge task to take on. Alone—it is nearly impossible. With God, all things are possible. God has shown this time and time before.

 

It’s time to get to work—spiritual work. God is waiting to work with you. There is much to be done, but with God, much can be accomplished!

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 696

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 696

1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

The love of brethren—that is a major theme in the N.T. Those early disciples had many obstacles to fellowship. They were very different. Jews-Gentiles…Masters-slaves…Male-female—all of those were the right ingredients for prejudice, ignoring one another, and faction. Gluing everyone together was difficult. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to become “jewish” first, then Christians. How could Master and slaves be one in the church, but not one when they got home?

Sprinkled all through the N.T. are admonitions to love one another. The epistles of John deal with those concepts especially. Love one another—it is more than a hymn, and more than a sweet thought. It is the N.T. way.

Our thoughts in this Jump Start are what Paul writes after that. Having said that they need to love one another, Paul penned, “you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another”. You are taught by God. Have you ever thought about that expression…taught by God.

Some like to boast of their academic credentials, especially Ivy League folks. I visited Harvard University many years ago. Shortly after that, I was preaching in California. I told some folks there that “I attended Harvard.” One guy even said, “You don’t sound like a Harvard-man.” I then confessed and told them I was on campus for about 30 minutes and bought some shirts at the bookstore. Our passage reminds us that we have been taught by God.

Some thoughts about that:

 

1. If we have been taught by God, then we have had the best teacher. No one is better than God. No one understand love better than God. John tells us that “God is love.” It is God who proved His love by sending Jesus (Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8).

 

2. If we have been taught by God, there is no one who can improve upon that. Paul recognized that. He said, “you have no need for anyone to write to you…” There is no one who can teach us as well as God can. Many modern writers miss this point. I collect books about the prodigal son. I have a bunch. I love that story. It seems modern writers are compelled to tell their own “prodigal story.” Why? Isn’t God’s story good enough? Does it not fit our times today? Do we think we can add to it? You have no need for anyone to write to you—that ought to sink in. God’s way, God’s words, God’s pattern, God’s organization, God’s way of saving, God’s mission for the church, God’s way of growth—does anyone need to add more to what God has given us?

3. When and how does God teach us? He does that through His word. The examples of Jesus, that we read in the Gospels illustrated God’s love. The story of Hosea, the story of the prodigal, the encounter with Zaccheus, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery—these are all ways God has taught us about love. The Bible is God’s classroom. His words. The order of the words. They are all important. God doesn’t teach by whispering or giving us hunches or feelings or impressions apart from the Bible. Modern theology leans heavily this way. The writings of many religious authors imply God telling them things apart from the Bible. We get the impression from some modern writers that God talks nearly everyday to everyone. You don’t see that in the Bible. Abraham, the friend of God, found years in which God didn’t speak to him. God doesn’t speak directly to people today. He speaks through Jesus (Heb 1). He speaks through the word. It is through that avenue that we are taught, our faith grows and that we learn to become the people of God.

Taught by God…you’d think it ought to make a difference in our lives. And, it does. It shows. People live godly, and righteously, because they have learned from God. They develop the heart of a servant, because God has taught them. They quit worrying about prestige and position and more about marching with God.

 

Maybe, many of the problems facing our country, and even the world, would be less, if folks went to school and allowed God to be their teacher.

 

Roger