06

Jump Start # 3715

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

Jump Start # 3715

Micah 6:7 “Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

The book of Micah can be viewed like a courtroom drama. The people of God are on trial. God is the prosecutor. The nation is in trouble. Idols, empty hearts and complaining lips have brought them to this contention with the Lord. They were weary of the Lord. And, as the sixth chapter opens, the Lord states, “Plead your case.” Defend yourself. “…the Lord has a case against His people” (6:2).

Knowing the righteousness of the Lord, the prophet recognizes the guilt of the nation. God is right. He ponders, “With what shall I come to the Lord” (6:6)? How do we make things right? As Peter’s audience asked in Acts 2, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Our verse presents three wild ideas. They are extreme and even impossible. Do we offer God thousands of rams? Do we offer ten thousand rivers of oil? Do we sacrifice our firstborn child?

What to do? Underlining these three suggestions in our verse today, is what is commonly known as “Balance Theology.” The good must outweigh the bad. There is no suggestion of repentance or change. There is no suggestion of tearing down the idols. There is no thought of renewing the heart. Instead, offer rams, rivers of oil, or a first born child. Amazing sacrifices. But, as long as wrong continues, what good is all of this?

Balance theology assumes evil is ok as long as there is more good than bad. Like the scales of justice, as long as the balance tips in favor of good, bad can be tolerated. Just make sure that there is more good than bad and everything will work out. It also assumes that evil can be overcome by goodness. The more good you do, that somehow eliminates the bad that you have done. And, worse of all, this gives license to continue doing evil. One doesn’t have to stop wrong, as long as one does more good.

Most don’t know this as balance theology, but most practically live this way. Party hard on Friday night, drinking and doing things that are not right, but be sure to get down to the church house on Sunday morning. Make a contribution to some charity, volunteer at some organization and all will be fine. One doesn’t have to stop the drinking. One doesn’t have to change their lifestyle. Just do more good than bad. One can cuss now and then, as long as they sing hymns in worship.

Rivers of oil will cover idols and hearts that are no longer interested in God. Just do more good than bad. Seems logical. Seems like advice someone would pass along to us. The problem is, balance theology is just not biblical. It’s not from God. The Lord is interested in YOU. A broken and contrite heart God will not reject. Sins are not wiped away by goodness. Multiple good people needed the saving grace of God in the N.T.

The prophet reminds the nation what God really wants. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8).

Notice:

First, it wasn’t just go and do something nice and God will overlook all the wrong that you are doing. The Lord was requiring a heart change in the people. Three words: justice; kindness; and, humbleness. Not rivers of oil. Not a child sacrificed. Don’t stay in your lane of wrong. Exit off. God was interested in character. God is always interested in heart.

Second, justice, kindness and humbleness are demonstrated towards others. We are kind, not to ourselves but to others. We are humble, not to ourselves, but towards others. Treat others the right way. This happens when you are lead by your heart, which has embraced God.

Third, these three qualities of the heart, justice, kindness and humbleness are demonstrated by actions. The passage places qualifiers before each of these words. Do justice. Do it. Do what is right. Do what is fair. Love kindness. Show kindness. Kindness in your words. Kindness in your actions. Walk humbly. Walk is more than just a step. It’s a direction and a path one takes.

When people are not good, they need to become good. Here, God defines what is good. Good is not offering thousands of animals. Good is not bringing thousands of rivers of oil to the Lord. Good is not offering your child to the Lord. Good is justice done. Good is kindness loved. Good is humility walked.

This is what God was looking for. This is what God was wanting.

And, for us, taking the Lord’s Supper doesn’t cleanse our souls. Just sitting in a pew on a Sunday doesn’t amend the wrongs we may have done. God has told us what is good. God has shown us what He wants.

It’s time to put the balance scales up and start opening our hearts to the kind of people that the Lord wants us to be. God has told us what is good. That’s what we need to follow. That’s what we need to become.

Roger

05

Jump Start # 3714

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3714

Matthew 6:28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.

  Our verse today, coming from the middle section of the grand Sermon on the Mount, deals with the threat of worry. Many translations use the term “anxious.” And, what the Lord says about this repeatedly, is do not be anxious. At least four times in this part of the sermon Jesus tells us “do not be anxious.”

We might think, “that’s easy to say,” and it is, but dealing with worry is a major battle for so many. We worry about the kids. We worry about our jobs. We worry about aging parents. We worry if we’ll run out of money in retirement. We worry about prices. We worry about bad weather. We worry about a scheduled doctor tests and if there is something serious looming deep within us.

Worry has a way of sidetracking us and making us lose our focus. We tend to look at the problems rather than the Lord. The disciples did that often. When told to feed the multitudes, they saw the situation but they never saw the solution. The solution was standing right beside them, the Lord. When storms battled their boats, they saw problems, but no solution. Jesus was with them. He was the solution.

Our worry does the same thing. We see the problem but not the Lord who can open doors, fix things and do things that no one else can.

Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples to stop doing that. He gives them a practical solution that will keep worry at a distance. Observe the lilies, the Lord says. Look. Open your eyes. Look at those flowers. The previous verse, the Lord tells the disciples to “look at the birds.” Seeing these things will remind you that God has taken care of them. Birds and flowers are not made in the image of God. Birds and flowers do not have angels to take care of them. Birds and flowers do not have a Savior as we do.

When troubles seem so great, look around. Look at the nature God created. Look at how the world is held together. Look at how God designed and takes care of things.

And, this is a great and valuable lesson for us. When we look with our spiritual radar we see lessons all around us. This week I wrote about a pickup truck with the sign, “We clean trash cans” on the tailgate. What a lesson that taught. When traveling in London, one sees “Mind the gap” signs at train and subway stations. There is a lesson there. At the London airport, on the people mover, a sign hangs down, “Face the direction you are going.” That’s a sermon right there. Many want to go to Heaven but they are facing the wrong direction.

I think open eyes is a gift. Two people can see the same thing and one never thinks anything about it. The other person is drawing great spiritual applications and lessons from what he saw. I wonder how many times the disciples walked through fields of flowers and thought nothing about it. I wonder how many times we have done the same. But after hearing these words, those disciples looked at flowers in a different way. Jesus opened their eyes to spiritual lessons around them.

Now, how can we develop observable eyes?

First, one never turns off the spiritual radar. Never. It’s like praying without ceasing, one is always thinking about spiritual lessons. Part of the issue with getting this type of observation, is the fact that we too quickly turn off our spiritual minds. We enter the church building talking about the weather, the Saturday games, food and such things. For a moment, we worship. And, as soon as worship is over, we go back to talking about the weather, Saturday games, food and such things.

There ought not be a switch that you flip in your mind and heart. Turn on your spiritual radar and keep it on all the time—all the time. Little things will remind you of blessings and care of the Lord. Big things will bring to your mind passages and applications. Later in Matthew, having described and defined why He uses parables, the Lord said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see” (13:16). Do we see?

Do we see opportunities to serve? Do we see the lost who need someone to show them Jesus? Do we see brethren who need to be encouraged? Do we see? Look at the birds. Observe the lilies.

Second, once one starts this practice, it helps them so much. You are reminded of the Lord and His ways constantly. All around you are lessons. All about you are the signs of God’s hands and God’s love. As you wash your hands, you think about the James passage, “cleanse your hands you sinners.” It leads you to quietly pray, “Lord, cleanse my heart as I wash my hands.” And, this endeavor lifts your heart to a new and better place. Rather than complaining about work, you become thankful that you have a job. Rather than feeling alone, you realize God has covered you with His comfort and care, just like a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter night.

Third, with all of this spiritual thinking, one begins to observe and see with their heart, rather than just their eyes. This will lift their spirits. Worry becomes less of a problem. Hope grows stronger. One realizes that God is ever taking care of you. The troubles of the world and the temptations of Satan seem less appealing when one has those spiritual eyes opened.

Look…observe…what wonderful lessons are all around us today. Lessons that will pull us closer to the Lord. Lessons that will make us stronger and better. Lessons that will push worry out of our hearts.

Do you see…

Roger

04

Jump Start # 3713

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3713

James 1:26 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

I was up in the attic the other day and ran across a box of frames that had some restoration pictures in them. I pulled the pictures out and took the picture frames to Goodwill. Didn’t need them anymore and didn’t want them anymore. They may hold some value to others, but not to me.

We hear of worthless investments. There are lists on social media sites reminding us that a majority of our cherished collectibles are of very little value any more. No one wants them and no one will pay what we bought them for. These things may have put a smile on our faces, but as for investment purposes, they are worthless.

That made me think of our verse today, a worthless religion. Have you ever thought about what makes a religion worthless? People pour time and effort into a religion. How would it be worthless? Places to assemble are built. Publications are printed. Typically, someone is hired to speak and lead.

There are two major factors that make a religion worthless.

First, if it is false. A false religion will not save you. Something that is wrong, can not be helpful. Wild ideas, wonderful speculations and dreams that many hold dear, all become empty smoke if they are not true. The standard must always be the Word of God. What God says matters, first and foremost.

Second, where our verse is driving at, a religion can be worthless if it does not change us. The principles of that religion may be right and true, but if it does not move us to a more righteous lifestyle, what’s the point? As in our verse today, here is a man whose religion has not changed the way he talks nor the way he thinks. Corrupt. Ungodly. Selfish. Immoral. Hurtful. Gross. He may sit in a church pew on a Sunday, but the way he thinks and the way he talks, you’d never know it.

Why would such a person even put the effort into a religion if does nothing for him? Why would someone pour money into an investment that will bring no positive returns? It may well be, that there is just enough religion to satisfy his conscience but not enough to accomplish any good in his life. Remaining unmoved and unchanged, he has deceived himself, as our passage states, into believing that he’ll go to Heaven because “he has religion.” He compares himself to those who have no religion. Although there are little noticeable differences, he is convinced that sitting in a pew on a Sunday scores points with God. His mind wanders. He is bored. He plays with his phone. He spends more time talking to others than looking into the Bible. A wonderful Christian is how others see him and it is how he sees himself. But is it the way that the Lord sees him?

Third, our tongue is a window into our hearts. The unbridled tongue is likely to say anything, and it usually does. The sins of the tongue, such as gossip, backbiting, slander, evil speaking, lying, boasting reveal a sick and diseased heart. The unbridled tongue, a sure sign of a worthless religion, is problematic of a much deeper and more serious issue, a heart that does not believe. Oh, one can go through the motions. One can “play church” with the best of them, but that empty and vain heart, that refuses to forgive and crushes those that disagrees, is part of a worthless religion.

Many miners, years ago,  were tripped up by what was called “fool’s gold.” The nuggets sparkled like real gold and looked like real gold, only it wasn’t. It was not gold. Some lost their life’s savings buying stakes in nothing but worthless rocks.

Paul warned Timothy about some who were always learning but never able to come to knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). He continues to describe them as opposing the truth and depraved in mind. They won’t make any progress, the apostle says, because their folly will be obvious to all. Maybe he had in mind tongues that remained unbridled and unchanged.

The opposite of a worthless or useless religion is one that is worthy. One that is worthy will honor and please the Lord by following His will. One that is worthy will keep you strong during the storms of life. One that is worthy will produce the fruit of righteousness. One that is worthy will change your insides and outsides. And, one of the easy ways to tell, is if your tongue has become bridled. Oh, you could say things, but you won’t. You could give someone a piece of your mind, but you know better. You know better and you do better, because of a faith that is worth something.

It is not only worth dying for, but it is worth living for.

Roger

03

Jump Start # 3712

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3712

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I was out and about driving the other day. I noticed a pickup with a message spread across the back of the tailgate. It read, “We clean trash cans.” The trash can is the final destination of things in our homes that are broken, smelly, no longer wanted, and what we generically call junk or trash. Trash goes into the trash can. About the only time I ever clean out my trash can is if it smells. I’ll spray it down with the hose and leave the lid open so the sun can dry it out. Is my trash can clean? It’s a trash can. Is it supposed to be clean? The only things that go in it are things we are getting rid of.

Somehow the guy driving the pickup thought of a business niche that would be profitable. I definitely believe he probably has a corner on that market. There won’t be a lot of competitors bidding for the cleaning of your trash cans. I wonder if the guy also does dumpsters? I can’t imagine what prompted him to start such a business. Maybe his wife told him to clean their trash can and a neighbor asked him if he would do his? Nor, can I imagine what stinky and filthy trash cans he goes through in a day.

Trash cans ought to be somewhat dirty because it’s where we put our trash. Our verse today, written by David, after his heart had gotten dirty with lust, shame, coverup and multiple sins, shows his desire to have a clean heart.

Our hearts are not trash cans. Filth and dirt do not belong in our hearts.

There are some lessons for us:

First, we cannot pay someone to clean our hearts. We got our hearts messy and it’s up to us to do what we should to clean them up. Sometimes, parents forget this. They want the church to straighten up their child. They want someone else to be the tough guy and lay down the law to them. The responsibility lies with the parent. No one can clean up a trashy heart for you.

Second, our verse is a plea and a prayer. David recognized that on his own, he could not clean the stains off of his heart. He needed God. He needed God’s mercy and God’s grace. That would bring forgiveness. But there is more. David needed God’s guidance to keep his heart from getting dirty again.

That’s the difference between our hearts and a trash can. You can pay someone to clean your trash can, but you’ll continue to put more trash back into that can. This will just create another need to clean it out another time. Trash cans are not cleaned and remain clean. They are holders of trash. As long as we put trash in them, they will be dirty. The same is true of our hearts. Our souls can be forgiven by God, but as long as we continue to fill our hearts with more garbage and trash, our hearts will continue to be unclean.

Once we have received the forgiveness of God, we need to take the steps to stop putting more trash back into our hearts. Sunday worship isn’t a divine car wash that automatically cleanses the soul each week. Get that soul cleaned and go back out into the filth of the world and come back next week for another spiritual bath. That’s abusing God’s grace and that shows no gratitude nor growth towards a changed life.

Third, we can make a real mess of our hearts and souls. Anger, bitterness, worldliness and lust can stain our thinking and our souls so deeply that we get used to those things. They no longer bother us. I knew a guy years ago who had railroad tracks very close to his backyard. I was there one day when a trail roared by. The whole house shook. We couldn’t hear each other. It was so loud. After it passed by, I asked him how can you stand that noise. He was so accustomed to it that he hardly noticed. Boy, I did. I think my teeth were rattling as the train went by. Sin can do the same to us. Heard curse words so much that we don’t even notice anymore. Dwelled in negativity and the land of complaints so long, joy seems out of place and odd.

You can go to Heaven with a dirty trash can. Don’t think you’ll make it with a dirty heart. Most don’t expect their trash can to be clean. We ought to expect clean hearts, especially among the people of God.

Roger

02

Jump Start # 3711

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3711

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

These triplets of verses are listed without explanation, instructions or reasons. By this time, the Thessalonian brethren, though young in faith, ought to know. The profession of our faith is not a Sunday morning thing. It’s an everyday, all the time, lifestyle. It is who we are. It’s in our DNA. It’s our new culture and climate.

Those that don’t get it, simply don’t show it, nor experience it. They might sit in a pew on Sunday morning, but the rest of the week, they are acting like every dog in town. It’s a dog eat dog world we are told, and they are right in the midst of the dog fight. Not the disciple of Jesus. Rejoicing, praying and thanking, that’s his mode of operation.

Have you noticed the continuation words attached to these concepts. It’s not just rejoice, but rejoice always. Always never ends. Always is in the morning when you get up. Always is what you do throughout the day. Always is when you tuck yourself into bed at night, tired and weary, yet still rejoicing. It’s an on going rejoice. Always Rejoicing.

And, the prayers are just like that. The apostle said more than just pray. Pray without ceasing. The rejoicing is always and now the praying is ceaseless. Multiple prayers shot Heavenward every day. Too many to count. Too many to remember. Praying about this person. Thanking the Lord for this blessing. Seeking mercy from above. The prayers never stop.

And, the thankfulness is for everything. The good things. The nice things. The obvious things. The unseen things. Rejoicing that never stops. Praying that never stops. And, now thanking the Lord for everything.

Here are some thoughts:

First, if we really dug into these three simple statements, our outlook, words and hope would be so different. Some pray only when they have to. And, even then, it’s hard and difficult. They are simply not used to doing that much. Going to many homes as I do as a visiting preacher, you recognize which families are accustomed to waiting to thank the Lord in prayer before they eat. Sometimes one will start to eat and then that person has to be reminded, “We haven’t said the prayer yet.”

Always rejoicing—even in the rain. Always praying—even when nothing bad is happening. Always being thankful—even when you have already said “Thank You.”

Second, starting and stopping is hard in life. Momentum is like that. It’s often hard to get things rolling, but once they are rolling, it’s hard to stop them. The Ethiopian on his way back home, having already worshipped, was riding in his chariot reading Isaiah. Church was over, we’d say, and he’s still reading the Bible. Why? He didn’t have to. He had a faith that wouldn’t stop.

Don’t flip your faith off, like a light switch, when you leave the church building on a Sunday. Keep that faith going. Talk about the wonderful things you saw in worship over the noon meal. Take out your sermon notes and run your eyes over them again. Be thankful for who you saw. Pray for those who are struggling.

Third, from these words of Paul, you’d expect to find those Thessalonians doing those things on a Monday as much as on a Sunday. Rejoicing. Praying. Thanking. Doing it so often and all the time, it just becomes natural to them.

And, there is something about those three words: rejoicing, praying and thanking. All three words have a way of connecting us closer to the Lord. There are some who seem to know the Lord so well. The reason is always they are rejoicing. They never stop praying. They are thankful for everything. Spiritual. Close. Hopeful.

It’s hard to find these three qualities, of rejoicing, praying and thanking residing in a sour heart. One that is bent on complaining won’t be rejoicing, praying and thanking very much. And, that just might be the very thing that we need to look in the mirror about. Everyone around us is mad, complaining and grumpy. Are you like that? Or, have you chosen to be rejoicing, praying and thanking? And, it’s not just once in a while, but it’s always, never ceasing, and for everything.

How are you doing with these things? Give it a try. You’ll be better if you do.

Roger