29

Jump Start # 1548

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1548

John 13:12 “So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garment and reclined at the table again, “He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you?’”

 

My wife and I have been fans of the British show Downton Abbey. After six seasons, it heads to the final episode this coming Sunday. There is a fascination with aristocratic society. The large mansions, the stately dinners, the elegant dresses, the beautiful settings and the servants that come running at the beckoning of their masters—it’s something so foreign to us in the United States. When we have traveled overseas, we have made it a point to tour castles and mansions when possible. They are amazing.

 

There are two stories and two societies in the Abby at Downton. There are the upstairs people, the Crawley’s, who have inherited titles, wealth and the mansion. Their position in society grants them special privileges. The other story and society, are the servants who live “down stairs” at the Abby. They serve the family upstairs. There are butlers and under butlers, footmen and cooks, and chauffeurs and hand maids and a whole world downstairs that work long and hard hours to serve the family upstairs. The downstairs people do not dress, eat nor have the pleasures that the upstairs people do. It’s two different worlds in one house. Fascinating show.

 

Most who have been captured by that show would love to be one of the Crawley’s. To live in that mansion, to have people dress you and cook for you. What a world. The reality is, most who watch that show would be the “downstairs” people. There is a principle from Scriptures that is so fitting to that show.

 

Our verse today comes from the time when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, including Judas’ feet. When He finished washing their feet, where our verse is found, He asks, “do you know what I have done?” The obvious answer is, “You washed our feet.” Anyone would know that. However, that wasn’t the answer Jesus was looking for. There was something greater than clean feet. The point wasn’t that He washed their feet, it was that He served. When Jesus told them to do the same, the point wasn’t to establish foot washing in churches. Our times, our feet do not get that dirty. We wear socks and shoes, our streets are paved and we simply do no walk very much. What Jesus wanted them to see was a lesson about serving. If Jesus, the teacher, washed their feet, then they ought to serve others.

 

Jesus was definitely an “upstairs” person. He was God. He lived in the glory of His Father. Yet, He came to earth and lived like a “downstairs” person.

 

  • Mt 21:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
  • Mt 21:26 “…whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

 

So many of Jesus’ lessons surrounded “servants” or “slaves.” The parable of the talent was about a master who gave talents to three of his slaves. The parable about the laborers in the vineyard was about common, everyday workers. Most of the audience that first heard Jesus, were cut from this fabric. They were common people, poor people. Many of them were servants. They found a connection in Jesus because He did not act like “upstairs” people. He did not have the apostles running to pamper Him. He didn’t live distant from others and He certainly had a compassion and love for the common man.

 

Our times have made many of us want to be “upstairs” people. We want others to come running to our every call. We want to be in a position of honor and distinction. Many who aspire this have soured their opinions about those who serve. The blue collar man is considered not as intelligent as those who went to college. The problem is, when the banker’s car isn’t working, he’ll call that mechanic to fix it. It’s the plumber that shows up to fix our leaky pipes. It’s the furnace guy that shows up when our house can’t stay warm. It’s the yard guy that keeps our lawns so green in the summer. The common laborer, the blue collar guy, isn’t dumb nor are we too good for them. There should never be a “them” and “us” spirit. It ought to be “we.”

 

The disciple of Jesus will understand the value of serving. Anyone that is too good for that, won’t make it in God’s kingdom. The church isn’t a place to find power and rank. Those who misunderstand this, view the eldership as the top of a congregation. That is so backward and wrong. That thinking has led to strained relationships, broken trusts and split congregations. Too often we draw a vertical line and put the elders at the top and the members at the bottom. This is how some view and teach the organization of God’s church. That’s nothing more than “upstairs” and “downstairs” thinking. The elders, viewed by some as the “upstairs” people, do all the thinking, decision making. And everyone else, including the deacons, are the “downstairs” people who do all the serving. The elders ring a mythical bell, like on Downton Abbey, and all the members come running. Prayers are offered to high Heaven for the great decisions that the elders make. They puff their chests out and look over what they have and have with a sense of pride. They brag about how much money is in the church’s bank account or how many men are being supported by that congregation. All the elders have done was to sit around a table and make those decisions. Phone calls, letters and checks were all sent out by the “downstairs” people. This thinking is wrong. It cannot be supported Biblically. Certainly the elders “oversee” the flock but they are not above the flock.

 

Shepherds is a word for God’s leaders today. Shepherds are among the flock. They do not sit in warm houses and send out servants to care for the sheep. That’s what young David was doing when God called him. Those weren’t David’s flocks. They belonged to his father. David was working as a servant. The flock belongs to the Lord. God’s shepherds are the servants. They are the ones who go after straying sheep. They are the ones who care for the spiritual sick. They are the ones who bind up the broken and heal the injured. They are the ones who feed the flock. If a line had to be drawn to illustrate this, it would be a horizontal line. The position of elder is not a promotion in the sense of “moving on up.” It’s a role of responsibility and a work of service.

 

God wants all of His people to be servants. This “upstairs” mentality leads to some being too good to bend over to pick up a piece of paper on the ground. It leads some to say, “Why don’t we get someone to do this,” rather than, “why can’t I do this?” Upstairs thinking leads to prayers like the Pharisee in the temple, who thanked God that he wasn’t like other people. His prayer did nothing—for God or for himself. Upstairs thinking leads to believing that we are better than others. We are not. We all need Jesus. Pride sickens God. Arrogance, whether from the pulpit, from the eldership, or from the pews, turns people away and distorts the image of Jesus.

 

Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. Jesus washed Judas’ feet. Jesus came to serve. Have you?

 

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 1547

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1547

Mark 14:8 “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”

  We have taken a look these past few days at the role of women in the kingdom. We have looked at Biblical principles and patterns and not given thought to the political or social climate of our day. The N.T. came into a culture of it’s own but it was written in such a way to transcend all cultures. The passages that address the citizens role to the government, was first presented in a world which witnessed the powerful Caesars. Democracy, as we know it in America, didn’t exist. Those citizen principles have remained true no matter what the form of government was in power. God’s principles about marriage were first delivered into a world in which homosexuality was common, pagan worship included fornication and where many nobles and political leaders had marriages to bear children but had mistresses or concubines on the side for pleasure. This was the norm. Yet what God said remained the stake in the ground for His people. Today, when the cry is for same-sex marriage, God’s laws do not change. Culture does not shape God’s words.

 

So, when we look at the subject of women in the kingdom, our look is to what the Biblical record says, not what works today, nor what we think society has advanced to today. Our culture has seen expanding roles for women. Barefoot and pregnant and slaving over the sink doing dishes may have been the image of the 1950’s, but not today. Women head universities, sit on the Supreme Court and one is even running for President of this country. In sociological terms, the role of women has expanded and shifted in the last two generations. It is this thinking that has led some to assume that the role of women in the kingdom ought to be shifting as well. The problem with this is that we fail to understand that God already knew how society would shift and transform and we forget that his word transcends all cultures and times. There is no Biblical guidelines, pattern or principles for shifting roles, whether in leadership, marriage, or in the kingdom. Society can’t be what shapes our thinking. We must stay with God’s word. It has worked all these years and we must have faith that it will continue to work. Removing restrictions, whether upon the role of women in the church, legalizing drugs, accepting same-sex marriage leads us to following the will of a godless and selfish society and not the will of God. Is it fair to say that a single man cannot serve as an elder in God’s kingdom? How about a married man who never fathered any children? Today’s world would include them, to be fair. God’s word restricts them from serving in that capacity. Fairness and what seems right to us, puts us in the position of God. That’s not a safe place for us to be.

 

Having said all of that, our verse today, taken from the final days of Jesus’ life, records Mary anointing Jesus. The perfume was very costly, over three hundred days wages worth. This wasn’t the every day stuff. This isn’t what one splashed on before going to the market. This was the best stuff. This was saved. This was saved for a wedding night or this was saved for a funeral. Mary used it on Jesus. As she poured it on the Lord, the fragrance filled the room. The disciples, particularly, Judas, chewed her out. Sell it and give the money to the poor, was their thought. Judas was a thief. He kept the money bag. I’m not sure why he had it. It seems logical that Matthew, the money guy, ought to be in charge of it. Logic doesn’t always fit with how God does things.

 

Jesus came to Mary’s defense. “Let her alone,” He says. Then He says, what she has done will be told wherever the Gospel is taken. In the midst of our Lord’s words, our verse is found. “She has done what she could.”

 

That’s the best thing that could be said of any of us. Interestingly, none of the apostles were anointing Jesus. They stood around and complained. She wasn’t told to do this. She just did it. She didn’t do everything, she did what she could. Jesus, honored by her, didn’t appoint her as an apostle on the spot. She did what she could, and her position remained the same. She did what she could, because it was the right thing to do.

 

We could list all the things that she could not do. She could not preach as the apostles did. She was not inspired with the Holy Spirit as the apostles were. She did not write any inspired books of the Bible as the apostles did. She did not raise the dead as some of the apostles did. She did not see Jesus transformed as three of the apostles did. This is what we so often do. We sit around thinking about all the things we cannot do and then we begin the pity party. Woe are we, we sing, because we aren’t allowed to do this or that. Instead, Mary did what she could do. We don’t find Mary saying, “I wish I could be one of the apostles.” We don’t fine Mary saying, “Can I do a miracle?” Rather, she did what she could do.

 

Do you think that spirit of Mary would help us? Instead of focusing upon what we cannot do or what we are not allowed to do, why don’t we do what we can. This is true of women. This is true of all of us. The role of women in the Kingdom is powerful. Women ought not to feel that they are under the thumbs of men. They ought not to feel second-rate in the kingdom. It could well be that many men in the kingdom need to apologize and do some serious repenting for their attitudes and words towards God’s daughters. And that’s exactly what women are in the kingdom, the daughters of God. Men ought to be careful what they say about God’s daughters. They stir the anger and the wrath of God up, they will be in trouble.

 

Women do not preach publically on Sunday mornings in the church house. Not God’s daughters, at least. And, yes, there is more that they can do other than dust the pews and make communion bread. The voice of encouragement, the spreading of the Gospel, the power prayers of a devoted follower, the supporter of the Gospel are many of the things that women have done for generations. It is our times that have made many feel suppressed and useless. Hospitality still works. Do it. Teaching people like Apollos still works. Do it. Being a Phoebe, who was useful to the apostles, still works. Do it. Being a Dorcus, who made things for others, still works. Do it. Being a Mary, who did what she could, still works. Do it. Instead of complaining what can’t be done, find what can and do it. Be that sparkplug for the congregation. Bring sunshine to the place. Don’t  nag because others aren’t doing anything. Don’t complain. Mary didn’t say, “Lord, why isn’t Peter doing anything.” She didn’t say that. She did what she could.

 

That is what we all must do. If that happened, it would bring life to a congregation and it might get some tired and lazy elders finally doing what they ought to be doing. Don’t be discouraged when the Judas’ in life complain. Make sure what you are doing is Biblical and right, then do what you can do.

 

Daughters of Heaven, that’s the role of women in God’s kingdom. Royalty without an attitude. Not too good to get busy doing things. Not pampered and spoiled, but rather, doing what they can, where they can. That’s God’s people everywhere.

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 1546

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1546

1 Corinthians 14:34 “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.”

  We are looking at the role of women in the kingdom. This topic is touchy and often fueled with more emotion than Biblical evidence. One of the passages that is often quoted in this discussion is our verse today. Women are to keep silent. Women are not to speak in church. Typically, it’s a man that reminds us of those thoughts. But what so often happens, a passage is stated without thinking about the consequences or the context. Those that make this blunt statement are usually guilty of violating their own logic and reasoning. This passage is pulled out, like a six-gun, to turn the tide so a woman can’t preach from the pulpit. Fearing that could happen, the “women are not allowed to speak in church,” is used.

 

Is it true that women cannot speak in church? Not at all? Let’s give this some thought.

 

First, the context in which this passage is found is in a section about spiritual gifts. Chapters 12-14 are addressing the use and regulations of these gifts. So, this is not dealing with a typical Sunday morning worship service. It’s not apple for apple to begin with.

 

Second, the “not to speak” rule is sprinkled throughout this section. It’s not just the women who are not to speak. Without an interpreter present, those with the gifts of tongues, were to keep silent. If there were two or three with the gift of tongues, one was to speak while the others remained silent. They were to take turns. Prophets must take turns as well. One is to remain silent while the other was prophesying. Then the apostle mentions the role of women. They were to remain silent. It seems that he is addressing spiritual teaching that came through these gifts. We know that some women had spiritual gifts. Philip’s daughters had the gift of prophecy. The context is not addressing a typical Sunday morning.

 

Third, the word “silent,” means complete silence. Nothing said. If this was the rule across the board for women, then they could not sing. Our singing would be male voices only. If this was true across the board, then a woman could not confess Christ. Jesus said, “if you confess my name before men, I will confess your name before My Father.” We’d have to put an asterisk on that passage and say, “Unless you are a woman.” A woman couldn’t do what Jesus said. Really? Those that I have heard loudly declaring that a woman cannot speak in church, were fine with a woman singing. That inconsistency kills their logic and shows that they do not fully understand the passage.

 

Fourth, it is feared by some that if this passage is left to the unique setting of spiritual gifts then there will be a rush upon the pulpit Sunday morning by the women. Nothing will keep them out of the pulpit. Calm down. Breathe. Paul’s instructions to Timothy, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet,” (1 Tim 2:12) is the proper passage to use. Paul does not say that a woman cannot teach. Nor does he say that a woman cannot teach a man. What he does say is that she cannot teach or exercise authority over a man. Teachers control the class. Preachers control the audience. They take the discussion where they want. They start and stop when they want. There is a certain authority that comes with that position. It is that position that Paul was restricting.

 

Can a woman teach a man? Any married man would have to admit “Yes.” It started with our mamas teaching us things. Remember Paul’s words about Timothy? He had a faith like his mother and grandmother. Nothing said about good ole’ dad. Where was granddad in that list? Women. Women had influenced and taught Timothy. Do you remember the story of Apollos? He was mighty in the Scriptures but only acquainted with the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife, heard him, “THEY took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” A husband and wife team that were teaching. Some would look at this passage as the husband did all the teaching and the sweet wife sat at the table in silence. The passage doesn’t say that. They took him and taught him. Women teach. Women influence. There are simply some restrictions upon how they teach. They do not teach nor exercise authority over a man. There are restrictions upon all of us, if we only realized that. I, as a preacher, cannot do what the apostle Paul did. I do not have the authority nor the right to command people what to do. Paul told Philemon that he could have ordered him to take back the slave, but rather appealed to him out of love. The only thing I can order is my lunch. I do not wear the same hat as the apostle. I have restrictions. The same goes for shepherds in God’s church. The same goes for citizens in the kingdom. There are many restrictions that God expects us to understand and abide by. These restrictions do not mean that we are inferior or not as bright as others. Absolutely not.

 

One of the greatest lessons I learned as a young puppy preacher came from a comment made by an elderly woman in a Bible class. I was young, smart, confident and had a bit too much in me. In a class, she raised her hand and quoted some O.T. passage that I had never heard of before and without knowing it, she let all the air out of my balloon. I realized right then, that the sweet old lady knew the Bible better than I did. She, who had never gone to college, had a grasp upon the will of God that I didn’t. It was there that I learned and I have shared with every young preacher that I know, that I was not the most knowledgeable person in the Bible in that room. Others knew more than I did. When a preacher gets that, he will do well. When the preacher also understands that he is not the most gifted speaker in the room, he will do well. He happens to be the one who gets paid, but he’s not the smartest nor the most gifted.

 

The statement, “women can’t speak in church,” needs to be looked at very closely. We must be careful that we are not misusing passages to our advantage, whether it is here or any other passage. Godly women have been the backbone of the kingdom since our Lord walked this earth. While the disciples are puzzled, confused and lacking faith, women were courageously demonstrating their faith and dedication to the Lord. Women as elders today? Some places are trying that. They are traveling down roads without any Biblical support. Instructions concerning who can be an elder begins with “a man must be…” So, a woman can’t serve as an elder. She can go home and pout or she can find where she can serve. Look at some of the powerful women such as Lydia, Dorcus, Phoebe—who didn’t challenge God’s way, but instead found ways to be useful, to serve and to help the kingdom. There have been women who have used their talents to write hymns. Women have written class material, articles for bulletins, and have led multitudes to the Lord. When one looks at the climate of women in the first century and then they see what Christ allowed, they are amazed. In Christ, a woman is not second class. She is a fellow heir, as Peter described it. In Christ, there is not Jew, Gentile, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ.

 

I believe the climate in some congregations could be improved by having better attitudes. The male-female frictions and the younger generation-older generation frictions could be improved upon. Uppity attitudes and a “I’m going to do it no matter what” spirit leads to the door and a split. That is not the way of Christ. So many lessons about women in the kingdom are directed negatively. It is often stressed upon what women cannot do. Maybe it’s time to show what they can do and then step aside and allow them to do it.

 

Our culture has caved in. The pressure has led the majority to declare that men and women are the same. They are not. First, they don’t look the same. They are not wired the same. Women bring a kindness to a situation that men tend to rush right past. There is a place and a need for that. Most preacher’s wives have helped their husbands in so many ways. They have checked his grammar. They have smoothed his rough edges. They have been the first to hear his ideas and often that’s as far as his ideas get. She reminds him of things he forgot. She has helped him.

 

Don’t ever think that women are second rate because they do not preach. God doesn’t feel this way. I have often been asked if there were any preachers in my family. I respond by saying, “My mom preached. She was always preaching to me.”  When I listened, it was to my benefit.

 

Instead of putting women “in their place,” as some rudely say it, we ought to praise them and commend them as the apostle did. The congregation where I worship would not be the same without the powerful, faithful and wonderful women that are so busy doing what they can in this part of the kingdom. They have had a huge part in helping us be what we are. They are the best!

 

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 1545

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1545

Romans 16:1 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receiver her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and that you help her in whatever matters she may have need of; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”

  The other day I was putting together some of our Jump Start books for a reader who had requested them. One of our booklets is entitled, “Male Leadership.” I wrote those articles over 1,000 Jump Starts ago. I remember at the time someone saying, “you ought to write something about women.” So, today, we begin by looking at Phoebe, the commendable servant.

Women in God’s kingdom often feel at a loss as to what they can and cannot do. Modern churches that are forever looking forward and not backward to God’s word, no longer struggle in this area. Women preachers, women in leadership roles are common today. Many of the best known “Christian” authors are women. But those who are interested in the Biblical pattern, understand that there are limitations upon the role of women. Some have considered restrictions such as in Timothy, where a women is not to teach or have authority over a man, to be cultural. As culture has shifted and changed, so ought those restrictions. The difficulty with this line of thinking is just what is cultural and what is a mandate from Heaven. Who decides?

 

Many women feel second place in the kingdom. They feel that they do not have a voice. They feel so limited and pushed to the background that they truly feel inferior. It shouldn’t be this way. So man men are chauvinists and that is expressed in their hurtful attitudes and comments.

 

So let’s consider a few thoughts.

 

First, although there were no women apostles, God did not consider them to be secondary. The first witnesses to the resurrection of Christ were women. It is reported that way in the Gospels. In that time, a woman’s testimony didn’t mean much in legal circumstances, but God included women. It was the women who first saw and first reported the resurrection of Christ.

 

Second, some of the greatest demonstrations of faith came from women. The Gentile woman who was willing to settle for the crumbs that fell from the children’s table, demonstrated great faith in the Lord. The woman with the issue of blood, who by faith, touched Jesus, believing she would be healed. Mary, who anointed Jesus with costly perfume before His death, demonstrated that she knew and that she believed.

 

Third, it was the wealthy women that supported Jesus and the disciples as they traveled teaching and healing the sick. It was the women who made it possible for these things.

 

Fourth, God sent Jesus into the womb of a woman. Mary carried Jesus and then cared for Jesus and followed Him all of her life. God didn’t bypass this process. Jesus didn’t arrive on earth a grown man. A woman was chosen to be the instrument in which Jesus would come.

 

Fifth, as in our verse today, Paul recognized the valuable role of women in the kingdom. The list in Romans 16 includes the names of several women. They worked hard. They risked their necks. They had the church in their homes. They served where they could and they made a difference.

 

Today, the backbone of so many congregations is women. They are the ones who come, carrying their babies. They are the ones who show up every night of preaching. They are the ones who fill the classes. They are strong, faithful to the Lord and are willing to put elbow grease into whatever they can do. On many occasions, we preachers look out into an audience and see so many women that we wonder where are the men? They are tired. They had to work. They are out hunting. They do not believe. But here are the women. They know their Bibles and they know the Lord.

 

Some of the earliest Bible class teachers I remember were women. Faithful women such as Mae and Audrey were patient with kids like me. They opened the world to us about our amazing God. And every place I have preached there have been remarkable women such as Edith and Wilma and Jerri and Fae and the JoAnn’s, who loved the Lord and who did so much to help the congregation.

 

Our verse shows Paul commending Phoebe. She heads the list of all those names that Paul will thank. She’s first. A woman is at the top of the list. She served. She was the servant of the church. Many get real excited about that word “servant.” It’s from the same word we get “deacon,” and immediately they want to assign Phoebe to the role of deacon to get a foot in the door of leadership and positon.

 

Not every servant is a deacon. I serve and I’m not a deacon. I can  tell you the names of dozens of people, both male and female, who are busy in the kingdom but they don’t wear a title. They simply serve. Jesus himself was a servant, but He wasn’t a deacon, as we think about that specific role in the church. Second, those that say such things do not understand the concept of deacons nor elders. They feel that deacon is a higher positon than a “regular” member. They see it as a stepping stone and one promotion away from being an elder. Such thinking is nonsense and unbiblical. Deacons are faithful men who can be trusted to serve a congregation. That’s it. That’s all. They are not better than others. They are not in line to be elders. The eldership is not a promotion from deacons. Get that business model out of the church. It ruins it. Phoebe served. I see in the Gospels that Martha served the Lord. She served food on several occasions. Some folks can’t do a think unless there is a title and a paycheck that comes with it. The spirit of serving has been lost. Helping out others, because it’s the right thing to do, is what we all should be doing. If you are not serving, you are not doing right. All of us need to be serving one another. Devoted to one another is what Paul said earlier in Romans.

 

So, our Phoebe served. Served what? Food? Maybe. Maybe she housed the preachers who traveled. Many have done that to me. Maybe she saw to the needs of the saints. Maybe she sat with the sick. Maybe she supported the preaching of the gospel. Maybe she told others about Jesus. Maybe she copied and shared the things that Paul taught. Maybe she was the backbone to the church. Maybe she was faithful, dependable and always pointing the way to the word of God. Maybe she did whatever she could.

 

She did these things without a title. She did these things without a position. But she made a difference. She was noticed by Heaven. She was commended by Paul. She was to be offered help as Paul directed the Romans to help her in whatever way she needs. Paul didn’t say, “You women help her.” He told the Roman church to help her. She was doing something great and it was getting to be more than she could do. She needed other servants. She needed some help. So, go help her. Don’t pitch a fit that “she’s a woman.” Don’t get all messed up about “who’s the boss.” Don’t lose sight of the big picture because there are no titles or positions listed. Just help out. Do what she is doing, serve. Serve others. Serve the kingdom. Serve God.

 

Some of us men spend too much time talking and not enough time doing. We spend so much time in the huddle discussing great plays, that we miss the game. Some folks love to say, “Here’s what we ought to do…” and what they mean is, ’here’s what you ought to do.’ Not Phoebe. She was a doer. She was a servant. She got busy. There is no indication of any man giving her permission or having to approve of what she was doing nor standing over her to oversee it. No man is named at Cenchrea. There’s just Phoebe. And she’s a servant.

 

I wonder if some of us men stand in the way of women like Phoebe. I wonder if we stop what they could be doing. I wonder if it is too hard for some of us to do what Paul did, “commend a woman.”

 

Phoebe, she served. Thank the Lord, for that and for her. Now, are you serving?

 

Roger

 

23

Jump Start # 1544

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1544

Deuteronomy 6:24 “So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today.”

  Our verse today comes from that powerful reminder that Moses gave Israel about teaching their children God’s law. They were to instruct the child when he rose in the morning, when he ate and while they walked about places. God’s law was to be a regular part of their conversation. Today, God’s people continue to do that with their children. They understand that it’s not the church’s responsibility to teach their children, but the home. Children may only spend 3 or 4 hours a week in the church building. If that is the extent of their spiritual education, then they will likely fail with God. It’s not uncommon for misguided parents to point fingers at the church when their children grow and show no interest in the Lord. The church has a role, but the home must be the first and most involved teacher.

 

In the midst of these principles, our verse is found. It was a reminder that Israel was to obey all of God’s commands. It was is a reminder that Israel’s survival was based upon their faithfulness to God’s word. It would be God that would win battles for Israel. It would be God that brought down walls, shut the mouths of lions and conquered giants. God would do this for Israel who trusted and obeyed the Lord.

 

This passage also states that observing all of God’s statutes was for our good always. It’s not just for God, but for us. That is a thought that is sometimes forgotten. God’s commands keeps us from hurting ourselves. There are physical, emotional and definitely spiritual troubles that can be avoided if we follow God. The Proverb writer said concerning keeping wisdom, “For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (3:2). There is personal benefits that come from obeying God. It’s more than just the right thing to do. It’s more than just pleasing the Lord. God’s ways are always the best ways.

 

Consider some of the physical complications that come from not obeying God. Sexual diseases spread among those who live the careless life of fornication. Multiple sexual partners, not God’s design for us, invites health problems. Addictions from drugs and alcohol ruin health. Booze flows today like a river in most college campuses. Young people are getting drunk on a regular basis, often every weekend, some even more. This wild partying is inviting a lifelong addiction to alcohol. It will be the ruination of many people.

 

Consider some of the emotional complications that come from not  obeying God. Guilt, worry, stress steals our appetites, keeps us up at night and makes us look old. The fear of dying, the internal struggles that many deal with has led many to turn to pills to cope. Grief has crippled many families who do not understand nor know how to deal with such things. Family problems with prodigals, divorce, rebellious teens and shame plague many homes. The refusal to forgive or offer grace strains relationships and adds to the emotional burdens that drag many down. Selfishness and lacking the spirit of a servant leads to the “dog eat dog,” grab what you can thinking that dominates society today. “Why should I?” isn’t asked by one who walks with Jesus. It’s asked by those who ignore God’s word and have set a course to simply please self. Then there is that extreme emotional fear of death. Medical staff sees this every day. An elderly person, frail and nearing the end of their life, instead of being given comfort, the family pressures doctors to do surgeries that are risky and treatments that take away what little quality of life that they have. Why? Because they do not believe in anything on the other side of death. They must hold on to life, what little there is, as long as they can. And then, when death happens, these family members are stunned, clueless and lifeless at the funeral. God’s word has answers. God’s word has hope. But a life that ignores God will harm a person emotionally.

 

Then there is the greatest cost of not obeying God, the spiritual side of things. A life without God leads to a death without God. It leads to an eternity without God. Joy, peace, hope, optimism are found when one walks with the Lord. Forgiveness, trust and promises are with those who are with God. There is not an obsession about who sits in the Oval Office in Washington. There is a greater thought about who is sitting upon the throne in Heaven. Life is not lived just day by day, but there are plans, goals, visions that are based upon God and His word. There is especially, that deep longing for Heaven. Faith gets us through the darkest days. Faith helps us to realize that all of our problems will remain here. Faith opens our eyes to see the Lord.

 

Keeping God’s commandments are for our good. The best life is one that obeys God. He understands what makes a home a home. He understands how we can be healthy. He understands how prayer helps us.

 

God’s way is always the best way. Don’t you agree?

 

Roger