10

Jump Start # 3574

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3574

Jeremiah 23:16 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

Jeremiah lived in troublesome times. The glory days of Judah was about to end. The patience of God on this wayward nation had run out. Babylon was coming and the destruction would be severe. The nation was not turning back to God. And, one of the major reasons was that the prophets, who ought to have been the spiritual leaders, were telling everyone that all is fine. Earlier they said, “Peace, peace,” but God said, there is no peace. The role of the prophets were to be the voice piece of God and to preach the righteous ways of the Lord. Things were so bad with these prophets, that in our verse today, God says, “do not listen to them.” And, in a profound revelation, God says the visions of these prophets were of their own imagination. They had made up things. It’s what they wanted, not what the Lord had declared.

Visions of their own imagination, not just something the prophets of old came up with, but something we find today. Consider:

First, the imagination of some today ignores what the Bible says. They want a utopia of love and peace and nothing matters. No rules. No regulations. No limitations. No doctrines. No sermons. Just, love and peace. In this imaginary world, sexuality, gender dysphoria, how one worships, the function of the church, all blend together under the wonderful world of grace. “Imagine,” some say, “a church without doctrine.” Or, “loving God is the only requirement.” And, this dreamy world of love, grace and acceptance only exists in their imagination. Realty teaches us that God knows what works. God understands us better than we know ourselves. God knows human nature, and without instruction, warnings, guardrails, doctrine, man will sink deeper and deeper into the sewer of sin.

Second, the imagination of the prophets in Jeremiah’s day, closed their eyes to what was happening all around them. Imagination is just another way of saying denial. Judah was all in with idolatry. From the top to the bottom, the nation was corrupt and deluded, not accepting Jehovah as the one true God. Jeremiah came across as an out of touch, old fashioned, hard nosed, relic from the past. Yet the imaginary ways of the prophets, while making some happy, they never brought the people closer to God. The imagination of these false prophets was not stopping the coming destruction that the wrath of God was bringing upon them. Dream all you want. Wish all you want. The way of God is not changed by our wants, demands or protests.

Ask for the ancient paths, is a statement from the Lord in Jeremiah. Don’t be chasing your imaginations that are unfounded and untrue. Stand with the Lord.

Third, without Biblical evidence, these imaginary visions would all fall apart. They were not from God. And, today, when we try to build a system solely on grace and want to discredit doctrine, the crowds will swell, but they won’t last. They won’t last because the basis and the foundation are not of the Lord. What happens when the next prophet comes along with a different imagination? Then, yet another one? Step by step, away from the Lord they go, until they are so far away that they cannot even find the Lord.

Fourth, the prophets had the assumption that they could improve upon the Lord. They knew what the Lord didn’t know. They had a better way. They had a message that was kinder. They knew, so they thought. And, at the core, is the problem that they were not content with the way of the Lord. Everyone around them had idols. Why can’t we? Everyone around them didn’t have all those strict rules that the O.T. demanded. Why do we? The message was of freedom. The message was of joy. The message was not of God.

We cannot find a better way to worship than what the Lord has authorized. We cannot find a better way to salvation than what the Lord has authorized.

Leave the imagination to Disney. We must walk with the Lord.

Roger

09

Jump Start # 3573

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3573

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

I’ve been teaching a class called, “Attitudes of Excellence.” In bringing our best to God, our attitudes matter. Attitude is not more important than obedience, but neither is it lesser important. They are both necessary. A gift can be ruined when given out of guilt or pressure or with a sorry attitude.

More than sixty major American universities have had protests recently. Hundreds have been arrested. Many will be expelled. The passion of a mob and the thoughtless actions may have years of repercussions upon these college kids. There may be many changes in the administration positions of these schools. There are layers of social problems that have been magnified in these protests. Lacking respect for authority; ignoring rules; demanding when one is not in the position to make demands are some of the surface issues that are noticeable.

My class that I taught focused upon the “Higher ground in conflicts and disagreements” that God’s people ought to take. Your attitude in disagreements is as important as what and why you disagree. One of the tiny points we looked at was name calling. Calling someone a name usually comes from a bitter heart that is filled with malice and slander. The intention of name calling is to hurt someone and shut down any reasonable discussion.

  • Elisha was mocked and called “baldhead” by a gang of youths. Two bears came and killed 42 of them (2 Kings 2:24)
  • Ahab called Elijah a “troubler of Israel” (1 King 18:17)
  • Jesus was called a “Samaritan” (Jn 8:48)
  • Jesus was said to have a demon and been insane (Jn 10:20)
  • Paul was said to be crazy or out of his mind by Festus (Acts 26:24)
  • Paul’s preaching was called “unimpressive” by the Corinthians (2 Cor 10:10)

Some thoughts:

First, name calling is cruel and comes from a heartless soul. Often, when a person has no response, no supporting evidence and is in a corner, they will start tossing out names. Remembering the golden rule and letting our gentle spirit be known by all (Phil 4:5), ought to keep one from resorting to name calling.

Second, name calling in an argument is like watching a tennis match. Back and forth the wicked and cruel names are tossed. Each time, more intense and more ugly. Louder and louder the disagreement grows until finally one has had enough and walks away, bleeding emotionally and even spiritually. Shame on brethren when we do this, especially to each other.

Third, name calling is often an extreme exaggeration or even made up. There may be no truth what-so-ever, yet the person will toss it in an argument just to see the other person explode in anger. As long as people are calling each other names, there is little hope for a discussion to end well. Within a marriage, when name calling is used, it will take a long, long time to recover from that.

Fourth, there are some terms that God uses that rightly describes and defines a person. When Jesus called the Pharisees “hypocrites” in Matthew 23, He wasn’t “name-calling” to get them to walk away. He called them that because that’s what they were. When Peter uses the expression “false teacher,” he is identifying what those people were. They were teaching things that were not true with God’s word. They were false teachers.

The intention of name-calling is to hurt someone emotionally.

When someone has called you an unkind name, don’t fire back at that person. It’s a no win situation. Remember, when Jesus was reviled, He uttered no threats in return (1 Peter 2:23). Sometimes the best response is no response. Silence can be your best tool when talking with someone who is angry and spewing words intended to hurt.

The higher ground in conflicts and disagreements. Easy lesson to teach. Tough lesson to practice.

Roger

08

Jump Start # 3572

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3572

Jeremiah 2:27 “Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘ You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face; but in time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’”

There seems to be no end to which some will fall. The lunacy and ridiculousness of what some claim is beyond laughable. It ought to be embarrassing and shocking. Here, long ago, in the days of Jeremiah, the rebellious people of God had turned their faces to idols. They gave up on God. Their idols were what they wanted. And, in the free falling away from God, they redesigned their purpose and rewrote history. They claimed that they came from nature. The tree was their father and a rock was their mother. How that came about lacks science, reason, and common sense. How can something non-living, such as a rock, give birth? What does mama rock call her little son, “Gravel”

Just how would a conversation go with someone who believed his parents were trees? “You rather look like your dad. Was he a cedar or a maple?” Jeremiah must have wondered how dumb can these people be. Lest we think we are so much brighter today, the LGBTQ community is being forced to add yet another letter to their descriptive genders. “Gender-season” is the new kid on the block. This is a person whose gender is connected to and can change depending upon the season. One person described as dressing more masculine in the summer and more feminine in the winter. This “gender fluidity” defines a person who feels as though their gender can change over time, even day-to-day. The seasons determine the gender.

Who say to a tree, you are my father. What can we learn from this:

First, some people are really mixed up. Removing God from our lives, there is no limit to how far out some think. More and more people are believing in aliens than they do in God. There are many strands of issues in all of this. From a lack of substantial faith, to mental illness, to being deceived by progressive theology, what a mixed up and crazy world we live in. My college career started in the field of forestry. I suppose in Jeremiah’s day, some wouldn’t want to cut down trees because one might be destroying a person’s family. I’ve been to India, where many there believe in reincarnation. Water buffalos roamed the streets because they may have been someone’s uncle or cousin. Some people are really mixed up.

Second, as our verse ends, “Arise and save us,” that is not directed towards the rocks and trees, but towards God. The next verse says, “But where are your gods which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble.” Believing in rocks and trees and idols and all the other cotton candy of today’s modern church seems so sweet and fun, until real trouble comes. Trees aren’t going to help you. Rocks can’t do anything. Feelings of faith, fade. You want something real. You want someone who cares. You want God. In trouble, they turn to God. The Lord wasn’t having it. Let your idols come. Let your trees and rocks save you.

Why is it when someone dies, they call around different churches to find someone, anyone, to preach mama’s funeral. No one knows what to do. No one has a connection to a church. So, they just start dialing up church after church. In times of trouble, we don’t want our idols. We want God.

Third, we must be careful to not be insensitive and heartless when talking to those who truly believe that their gender changes, or that their god is a rock. It’s hard not to laugh. It’s hard not to say, “That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.” Our job is to shine the light in such a way that God is glorified. That expression, “such a way,” is important. Give a flashlight to a five-year-old and he’ll shine the light right in your eyes. That’s not the right way. Working through the complex mase of confused minds takes time. Self-righteousness never converted anyone.

Fourth, there comes a time when one must kindly and gently say, “You are wrong.” A person is not a dog or a cat. A person is not the wind or the rain. A person is not fall or spring. A person is not a tree or a rock. We are made in the image of the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth. He has placed eternity within our hearts. We had a God-shaped hole within us that only He can fill. Going along with stupidity only enables the person and keeps them believing the lies that they have embraced. I have heard that some schools put liter boxes in the bathrooms for students who believe that they are cats. Come on! Do they eat cat food in the cafeteria? If they are sick, does the school nurse “put them down?” The kids are deceived because the parents are. There comes a time to simply say, “You are wrong.”

People have been confused, deluded and lost for a long, long time. The answer is getting people into a deep Bible study. The answer is understanding what the Psalmist declared, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (Ps 8:3-4). Do you notice how many references there are to God in those verses? It is God’s heavens. It is the stars that God ordained. It is man that God thinks about. It is man that God cares for.

If you want to believe that a rock is your mom, go ask her for some money. Ask mama rock what’s for dinner? We don’t have to wonder where we came from. The Lord has declared. What an honor it is to be loved, protected and cared for by our merciful God in Heaven.

Roger

07

Jump Start # 3571

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3571

Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.”

There are a few occasions in our Bible where Satan speaks. In Genesis three he spoke to Eve. In Job 1, he had a conversation with God. In Matthew 4, he tempts Jesus. And, here in our verse today, it seems that Satan was asking the Lord for permission to attack Peter.

Several layers of interesting thought arise from this:

First, Satan cannot do whatever he wants to do. He was limited in what he could do to Job. Here, in this verse, he must get permission before he can “sift” Peter. Is that true of each of us? Does Satan have to get the Lord’s approval before he will launch a full assault against our hearts and souls? In Peter’s letter, Satan is described as a roaring lion looking for someone, anyone, to attack.

Satan is not equal to God. Satan is limited by God. For that, we ought to be thankful.

Second, had the Lord not told Peter this, it is likely that the apostle would have never known this. The “sifting” may well be the encounters Peter faced in the courtyard while the Lord was being tried. A servant girl challenged him. Under pressure and alone, Peter crumbled. He was “sifted.” Knowing this in advance, didn’t seem to help Peter. One would think, “Ok, this is it. This is Satan trying to shake me.” But, that doesn’t seem to come up. And, it wasn’t a Roman soldier with a sword to Peter’s throat that sifted him. It was the accusations from a servant girl. Peter denied. Peter cursed. Peter crumbled.

All of this makes one wonder, the things that happen in our lives, is Satan behind that? Is he sifting us? We are not told of conversations between Satan and the Lord involving us. Maybe it’s good we didn’t know.

Third, it is also interesting that the Lord granted Satan what he wanted. He allowed Peter to be sifted. One would think the Lord would respond, “No. Keep your filthy hands off of him.” But, He didn’t say that. Instead, the Lord said, “I have prayed for you.” Jesus praying for Peter. Jesus praying for us. What a wonderful concept that is. When this life is over, I wonder if the Lord will say, “Remember that dark day in your life? I was praying for you. I was praying that your faith would be strong.”

For Peter, failing faith was common. When walking on the water, he started to sink and the Lord rebuked him for having “little faith.” His faith failed. When the disciples were on the sea, in the midst of a storm, and Jesus asleep in the boat, they became frightened and thought they were about to die. Jesus again said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Faith failed. Another time, while again in a boat on the sea, the disciples were fussing about not having enough food. Again, Jesus said, “You men of little faith”. Faith failed.

Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, but it indicates that He thought it might. The following verse says, “…when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Turn again? Seems like the Lord knew. The Lord did know. He would say, “before the rooster crows three times, you will deny Me.” Peter would be sifted. Peter’s faith would fail. The Lord knew. The Lord allowed this.

Fourth, the Lord also knew that Peter would be useful again. A faith failed isn’t the end. Peter would turn again. The Lord knew. The Lord was patient. And, in many ways, isn’t that our story. There have been occasions when our faith has failed. We remained quiet when we should have spoke. We put a basket over our light so no one would see it. We had attitudes that do not show our best. There have been times when our faith has failed. But, we turned. We came back.

And, this is a lesson we must remember about others. We see others whose faith has failed. Don’t give up on them. Don’t toss them to the wayside. Pray for them, as the Lord did for Peter. Remind them to return, as Peter was told. Be stronger this time, as Peter would later be.

Satan was after Peter. The Lord knew it. Satan tripped Peter, but he got back up. And, so must we.

Roger

06

Jump Start # 3570

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3570

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.”

A Jump Start reader asked for suggestions on how to best use the Jump Starts. That’s a great question, because it shows someone who is wanting to be effective and do what he possibly can to the utmost. When I first started preaching more than four decades ago, as a poor young man, I got on the mailing lists of as many church bulletins that I could find. My mailbox was stuffed every day with bulletins from all over the country. I read and read and filed those articles. Later, as I could afford books, my library grew.

Today, there are not many publications from our brethren and most congregations are not mailing out bulletins anymore. Podcasts, Facebook and blogs have taken the place of adding thought to our studies of God’s word. Jump Starts Daily has become a tool for many to use in their walk and work in the kingdom.

Let me share with you a few ways that I know Jump Starts are being used by others:

First, many are copying and sharing them with others. There is a huge segment of people that are not on our email list but they receive them because of you. A certain article fits right in where someone you know is at. That article can encourage and help someone not give up. The wide network of sharing these can springboard to studies and discussions.

Second, some are using the Jump Starts in special women’s studies and in prison visitations. They begin with reading one of the articles and starting there, they study their Bibles together. Sometimes it’s hard to know how to approach a topic. Using the Jump Start articles can be the bridge to help with that. Some are using the themes, such as Shepherding and having studies using the Jump Starts.

Third, some are using the Jump Starts for Wednesday evening invitations and even for sermons. There have been times when I read a portion of a Jump Start in a sermon. More than anything, they can be the seed for an idea that will be developed much further by you.

Fourth, some have used a Jump Start in funerals. I know I have. I’ve written a lot about death. Finding the right words can be hard and some have found reading a specific article to express what was most needed.

We are deep into 3500 Jump Start articles. How can I find what I need?

We have some themed booklets. Currently there are 29 specific booklets. On the Jump Start website there are two search engines. One allows you to look up key verses that I have used. The other allows you to type in specific words.

I know some who have printed out the Jump Starts and put them in notebooks. I know others who have saved them electronically and put them in specific folders that would be easier for them to find later on.

We have never had a major advertising campaign to get people to sign up. It has all happened via word of mouth. I find it amazing that anything I write is of interest to anyone else. The purpose of Jump Starts has always been devotional. It is not a deep dive into the Word of God. It is not technical. It is not scholarly. That’s not been the intention. More than anything else, I have just wanted to encourage, remind and help all of us in the kingdom of God. I have appreciated the suggestions that you have given me through the years. I think about those suggestions and many have become articles. Some have not always agreed with what I wrote, but I have appreciated your kindness and gentleness in expressing what you feel is correct.

I think if I were a young preacher today, I would have really liked Jump Starts as a source of ideas and encouragement. There will be a day when this little venture will come to an end. I just hope for this moment in time, Jump Starts has found a way to be useful and helpful to you in your walk with the Lord. This was never designed to replace your own study of God’s word, NEVER. It’s just yet another tool that can make things easier for us.

Will Jump Starts find a place in the big picture of the Restoration Movement? I doubt it. But, centuries from now, when we are on the other side, I think it would be amazing to meet someone who says, “Jump Starts—I read them.”

If you find a way to use these, please do. Through the years some have asked if they could reprint them in church bulletins, and the answer is always, Absolutely. Find a way to help and then do it!

Roger