07

Jump Start # 3630

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

Jump Start # 3630

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

As I was driving into the office the other day, I was listening to the morning news. There was a stabbing in the UK that injured many young people. A bombing in Israel killed several children. The President wants to make changes to the court system. I know of brethren in many places that are going through cancer treatments and are in hospitals. A couple of preachers I know are moving to work with brethren in different states. I know of several congregations that are looking for a preacher. In my area, storms raced across the night skies. Schools are starting up and parents are hoping for a safe and successful school year.

So much going on. But as all of this was spinning around in my head, I thought of those early Christians. How limited their news was. How little they knew what was going on in the world. Even in the small European villages in the 12th century, information came slowly. How limited their prayers must have been. The head of the empire or the nation could change and these simple people may not have known about it for months. Yet, they prayed.

Because of quick and accessible news and information, we can pray globally. A post on Facebook tells of someone having emergency surgery. Prayers are requested. That person lives miles and miles from us, but we do that. And, those early prayers of those first Christians must have been limited to the people around them. That’s all they knew.

Here are some thoughts:

First, I wonder if our prayers ought to be longer and in more depth because we know so much more. We know about brethren across the seas. We know about troubles globally. God has always been there, but now we know what’s going on the other side of the planet.

Second, it is easy to get overwhelmed with so many things to pray about. Troubles in Africa. Wars in Ukraine and Israel. Folk in our home congregation needing prayers. Folks in neighboring congregations also need prayers. Statewide, this is true. Nationally, this is true. Globally, this is true. We can feel guilty if we forget to pray for someone. We left someone off our prayer list. Prodigals that need to come home. The gospel that needs to be spread. “Will you pray for me,” is the call.

Sometimes it seems our hearts can only hold so much. We feel that we will burst, like that little balloon that one continues to blow air into.

Here are some thoughts that I hope will help:

  1. It is impossible to pray for everything. The world is big and there are so, so many things. The Lord knows this. The Lord is bigger than our prayers. And, even if all we ever did was pray, we’d still not get everything. And, there are things beyond prayer, such as raising our families, spreading the Gospel, letting our light shine.
  1. Prayer is more than running through a check list. I wonder if this is what we do much too often. A list of bullet points and we simply mention a name or a situation and run through dozens and dozens of those things. Would it be better to pick out one or two names and pour some thought, love and heart beyond just stating their name? Don’t feel that it’s all up to you. Don’t feel guilty if you didn’t pray for something. You did pray, but maybe not for that one person.
  1. Without you realizing it, others are also praying. Wihile you may not pray for someone, there is a good chance that others have. Our prayers ought to be comfort and a blessing and not a guilt trip and a burden. Talking to the Lord ought to help us, not make us feel worse.

Local prayers…global prayers—thank the Lord, praise the Lord and beseech the Lord. Prayer is not so much asking for what you want but for the Lord’s will to be your will. Be a person of prayer. If you don’t know what to pray about, open your eyes and look around. Turn on the news—pray for those you do not know. Pray for those who hurt. Pray for those who need to find the Lord.

In everything, the Thessalonians were told, give thanks.

Roger

06

Jump Start # 3629

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

Jump Start # 3629

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Our verse today is a truism and not an absolute. Exceptions can be given. More so, the passage seems to indicate a natural bent. Each person seems to have that. Some are musical, others not. Some have an eye for art, others can’t draw a straight line. Some like to work with their hands. Some are problem solvers. Some like Andrew are good at bringing people to Jesus. Some have a gift with words. Some just know how to write just the right things on a piece of paper. Some gravitate towards sports. Others, theatre. Children raised in the same home with the same environment will have different natural leanings. We are gifted by God in different ways. The key is to find your talent and to use it for the glory of the Lord.

Knowing what you are good at is valuable. We cannot, nor should we all do the same things. Find what you are good at, what you are passionate about then excel in that area. Learn more about that. Talk to others who do that. Get good at what you are good at. Focus upon your strengths.

Mistakes can be made when we try to force someone into what they are not good at and what their heart is not passionate about. I see that among my grandchildren. Some would like to spend the whole day outdoors. Others, give them a book and a quiet place and they are content to spend hours that way. Give the outdoor person a book and he’ll whine, sigh, and fidget. But put the bookworm outside, and he’ll complain about the bugs, the heat and want to go inside. The way he should go.

Consider:

First, the passage doesn’t say the way that “his parents want him to go,” or more so, “the way dad wants him to go.” Some dads want their child on the mound throwing a baseball. But that child would rather sit behind a piano and play music. Parents have to come to terms that their childhood is over. You have lived it. Let your child develop into the area that they are good at.

I grew up with sports. My wife had a balance of sports and music. We tried to put that balance to our children when they were young. It’s hard to know what your child is good at or likes until you try some different things. Sports? Which one? You may bounce for a few seasons between this sport and that sport to see if your child has a liking for any of them. You may try piano classes to see if there is any interest there. It’s hard. It can be expensive. It takes patience.

Second, whatever direction your child leans towards, a foundation in God is foremost. If he leans towards sports, then he’ll be an athlete that is a good sportsman, who is a gracious loser and a humble winner. If your child leans towards the arts, then he’ll honor the Lord by what he does.

More important than the sports, the arts, the clubs, the travel leagues, is walking with the Lord. As parents, we often forget that God has plans for our children. His plans may not be what our plans are. Learning to stick with something, learning to be honest in what one does, learning to think of others, are life long lessons that will shape the heart of your child.

Third, as a parent we need to teach our children that no matter where they are, they are never really alone, because God is with them. There are times and places, that even as a parent, you are not allowed to be with them. Surgeries. Driving exams. Sitting in classrooms. Going on dates. You won’t be there, but God is. That can help them remember who they are. That can help them have confidence and hope.

There is so much good that your child can do. Through the conviction of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, the heart of the Babylonian king was changed. Through your child, a team can change, a school can change, a friend can change. Don’t underestimate the power of young voices and the conviction of faith.

Some are natural leaders. Help them lead kindly. Some are followers. Help them to discern who to follow. There is a way to go and you are to help them. And, that can become a lifelong endeavor for them.

Roger

05

Jump Start # 3628

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

Jump Start # 3628

Luke 7:13-14 “When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise!’”

I love passages like this this. They are so loaded with insights, lessons and depth. Let’s paint the picture for you. Jesus is coming from Capernaum where He has healed the servant of a Roman soldier, a Gentile. The soldier had incredible faith. He didn’t need Jesus to come to his house. Just say the word, he believed. Jesus did. The servant was restored to good health. This crowd is following Jesus. They are happy. They are impressed. As they approach Nain, they intersect with another crowd. One crowd going in and another crowd going out. The crowd going in, is with Jesus. The crowd going out, are crying. It’s a funeral march. They are headed to a cemetery. A young man has died and his widowed mother is burying her love, her support and her future.

Jesus sees. Nothing is said to Him. He felt compassion for this grieving mother. He stops the funeral march and commands the young man to arise. Immediately, he does. This is the Lord’s first resurrection. Notice the little insight in our verse. Jesus said, “Young man.” How did the Lord know he was young. He was covered in burial cloths ready for the tomb. Jesus knows. He always knows. There are no recorded words of this mother in our context. And, although the text doesn’t tell us this, it’s obvious. The crowd going out, now turns around and joins the crowd going in. There is no need to go to the cemetery. There is no one to bury. The dead are now alive. Tears of sorrow have turned into tears of great joy and thanksgiving.

Some lessons for us:

First, what prompted this miracle was what Jesus saw and what He felt. No one asked Him to raise this man. The Lord saw her, He felt compassion. Compassion can be defined as your pain in my heart. Compassion fuels grace which leads to forgiveness. Without compassion there can be no grace. When the master who was owed ten thousand talents saw the servant begging for patience, Matthew records, he felt compassion and released him the debt. Compassion is why Jesus raised this man.

Second, Jesus often took the initiative and did what was good and right. He didn’t sit back and just wait for people to come to Him. Contextually, I doubt this mother knew who Jesus was. She did afterwards. And, what a lesson for us.  “If you need anything, let me know,” we tell people. Have you noticed how few ever do that? They don’t want to bother others. They are a bit embarrassed to ask. Take the initiative. You know what needs to be done. A mother just had a baby or surgery. That family is going to need help with food. Dad has had surgery. Who is going to mow the yard. Instead of asking, “Is there anything…” why not ask, “I’m in the area, I’d like to bring you some lunch.”

Third, we must put on compassion as the Colossians were told. Maybe the reason forgiveness is so hard is because we lack grace and that is because there isn’t any compassion. Until we care, we won’t do anything, especially extend grace and forgiveness. Getting people to care is hard. Our culture walks around with a mirror in front of it. We only care about self. “Why should I,” and, “What’s in it for me,” must never come from the mouth of a disciple. The Lord certainly didn’t act that way.

We care because all are made in the image of God. We care because Jesus died for all. We care because somewhere in our past, someone has cared for us. We begin with compassion. That leads to action. That produces grace and then forgiveness. You won’t find forgiveness where there is no compassion.

Did you also notice, a simple and silent lesson about the Lord’s authority. Jesus spoke to the dead. The dead heard and the dead obeyed. Jesus is master of Heaven and earth. He has the keys of death and hades, as Revelation tells us. He has power over disasters, disease, demons and death. Two enemies faced each other, the Lord and death. And, Jesus conquered death. In time, the Lord would be carried to a cemetery. But He too, would conquer that old enemy death by His resurrection.

Jesus saw…Jesus felt compassion…Jesus did something.

The dead was raised. A grieving mother was given hope and joy. And, the Lord left us a lesson.

Roger

02

Jump Start # 3627

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

Jump Start # 3627

2 Corinthians 7:6 “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

Our verse troubles many. It implies that Paul was depressed. A depressed apostle doesn’t set well with the thinking of some. Apostles are always upbeat. Apostles have the answers. Apostles are not supposed to be discouraged. No matter what happens to them, they smile. Depressed, discouraged, doubting are just not allowed among the apostles.

Yet, here we have this verse. Take a look at how others translated this:

  • Downcast (CSB)
  • Discouraged (ESV)
  • Cast down (KJV)

And, the text gives us ample reason for anyone to feel this way. Paul said “we were afflicted on every side; conflicts without and fears within” (v. 5). Beaten down. Weary. Troubled. The body can only take so much. And, the spirit can only take so much.

Had Paul endured all these troubles and yet stood smiling, happy and acting as if nothing was wrong, most of us would throw up our hands in defeat, declaring, “We can’t be like that.” But, that’s not the picture. A fearful apostle. A discouraged apostle. A depressed apostle. That seems real. That is one we can relate to. For, we have had fearful nights and discouraging days. It’s hard to get out of the bed for some. Another doctor’s appointment. Another round of chemo. Another day at a dreadful place to work. Another conversation with ears that are closed and do not want to listen. Another sermon to a congregation that is content on drifting and not doing any more. Another need and it seems that you are the only one stepping up to help. Another argument with the kids.

There are so many ways our spirit can be nearly knocked out of us. Discouragement leaves us tired. Tired of being the only one. Tired of fighting the same battles over and over. Tired of things not getting any better. Tried of people not caring. Tired of not feeling well.

And, it’s good to see that Paul wasn’t doing good on this page of our Bibles. It breathes hope to us. It’s not us. Something is not wrong because we feel this way. And, it’s powerful to learn that Paul didn’t stop. He didn’t move to discouragement street. God helped him. God will help us. Downcast is not where the Lord wants us to be. One cannot be joyful and discouraged at the same time. One will over come the other, but they cannot co-exist within our hearts.

Discouragement is something that shepherds need to recognize among the sheep. The flock won’t eat well when discouraged. Preachers get discouraged. This preacher has been discouraged. We can spend a lot of time chasing the causes of discouragement but that won’t change the present condition.

Consider what we find in our verse:

First, God was delivering Paul from discouragement. He didn’t tell him to “snap out of it,” nor, “just think happy thoughts.” God was aware of the situation and I expect Paul had been praying hard about those things. One of the troubles that comes with discouragement is the feeling of loneliness. No one understands. No one can help. No one. And, that just deepens the depression. You feel that you are stuck and only you can get yourself out of this deep, deep well that you have fallen into. But, that’s not true. God knows. God cares. And, God can do something.

Second, our passage reminds us that God did not take away the troubles that caused Paul’s discouragement. He afflictions and conflicts remained. The Jews didn’t hoist a “Welcome, Paul” banner. We want God to remove the storms in our lives. But often what God does is insulate us rather than isolate us.

Third, God put people in Paul’s life. Titus came. Titus was God’s answer. Titus was God’s comfort. A fresh face. A brother who encourages. Someone who will pray with us. Someone who cares. Someone who loves. Although the troubles remained, Paul was no longer alone. A reminder of God’s promises. A face of someone who believed. The darkness of the night begins to fade with the rising sun of a new dawn.

I wonder if God has sent people to comfort and help us but we have kept them away. Too private. Too much pride. Too embarrassed. So we continue to suffer. The storms continue the darkness within our hearts. We pray and nothing seems to change. We beg God to help us. He can. He wants to. We simply do not recognize it or accept that Titus is God’s solution for us. So, we keep Titus at arms length. We distance ourselves from Titus. And, as we do, we continue to be discouraged and depressed. The help is there, but it’s not the help that we want. We don’t want Titus. We want our problems to go away. And, by acting this way, we are rejecting Heaven’s help. God is helping us, but we won’t let Him. We cry alone. We worry alone. We suffer alone. Titus is standing at the door, but we won’t let him in. And, God must wonder, “why won’t they take the help that I have sent them?” Titus is what they need.

There are times in your life that you need to let Titus come and comfort you. There are times when you need to be a Titus to others. The prayers that Titus brings, the food that Titus offers, the joy that Titus brings is Heaven’s medicine for a troubled heart.

Paul was depressed. God saw. Titus came. Comfort accepted. Help received.

This is the power of fellowship. This is why we need each other. Open your heart and let Titus in. Get out of your chair and be a Titus for someone else. All of this is God working through us. We are His hands and feet. We are His medicine.

Roger

01

Jump Start # 3626

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3626

Luke 22:50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

In the recent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, he was shot through the ear. Pictures have been shown of him raising his fist with blood  streaming down his face. In interviews, Trump said that there was a lot of blood on the ground and that doctors reported that the ear is something that bleeds a lot. I haven’t given the ear much thought but that takes us to our passage today.

Peter cut the ear off of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. I doubt Peter was carefully trying to slice the ear off without damaging anything else. It was dark. There was a large crowd with swords and clubs. There were torches. There was a lot of emotion. Peter swung the sword. It seems that he was trying to deliver a death blow to the head. He missed or the servant ducked just in time and the ear came off. Jesus put the ear back on. And, much too often, that’s the end of the story. One final miracle before the cross.

By doing this, Jesus must have gotten a lot of blood on His hands. The ear bleeds a lot, we are told. It is very likely that Jesus would have the blood of Malchus on His hands and even His clothes. The text doesn’t show us that the Lord was allowed to wash His hands during any of this. Jesus would soon have His own blood all over Him. Blood from the crown of thorns. Blood from the scourged back. Blood from the nails in the hands and feet. Blood of Malchus and the blood of Jesus mixed together on the hands of our Savior.

Some thoughts from this:

First, the blood of Malchus would have been red like the blood of Jesus. Side by side, mixed together and stained on the clothes and hands of Jesus, one wouldn’t be able to tell which blood was which, but there was a difference. The blood of Jesus was pure. It was sinless. It was the blood of a sacrifice.

Second, only the blood of Jesus could save us from our sins. The blood of others may keep us alive, give us liberty and freedom, and pay the sacrifice to open doors for us, but no other blood can cleanse like the blood of Jesus. The Revelation vision opens with the thought that we are washed by His blood.

Third, the healing of Malchus’ ear, calmed a violent situation. How easily and quickly the soldiers with Judas, could have pulled their swords and in an instant resulted with several dead apostles and possibly even the Lord. That wasn’t Heaven’s plan. There had been earlier attempts to kill Jesus. They were unsuccessful. Multiple times, John’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus would lay His life down. He was in control until the end. His dying breath, “It is finished,” was the declaration that all was accomplished and He was ready to go.

But, what a profound lesson for us. We don’t have swinging swords and bloody ears on the ground, but we do have toxic situations in which someone is steamed up about something. Swear words are uttered. Things are thrown. The situation is quickly getting out of hand. Far too many YouTube videos, of which I think many are staged, show angry passengers on an airplane tossing luggage and screaming at each other. Or, a heated situation at an intersection, and someone punches the window of the car behind him.

The actions of Jesus cooled the situation down. He told Peter to put the sword away. He healed the ear. A tense and volatile situation was calmed down. Remaining under control when everyone around you has lost all reason and sense is something to remember. The one who controls his spirit is greater than the one who conquers a city, the wisdom literature tells us. Not raising your voice in return. Not uttering threats back. Not sticking your finger in someone’s face. Not making counter accusations. Put the sword away!

That would help many homes these days. That would help some congregations. It would go a long way in the work place. Just put the sword away!

The blood of Malchus on the hands of Jesus. And, in many ways, our blood was on His hands as well. That’s why He went to the cross. Helpless like Malchus, Jesus heals our soul, by extending His grace and forgiveness.

A bloody ear…a final miracle…making things right…

Roger