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.

2. 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.

3. 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

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.

2. 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.

3. 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

Jump Start # 3285

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

Paul wanted the disciples to be praying. The apostle lists four different words for prayers: entreaties, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving. They are all prayers but they are uniquely different. Not every prayer is the same. Not every prayer asks the same things. And, on top of that, they were not to only pray for themselves. They were to pray for kings and all who are in authority, which in those days included the vile, wicked and violent Caesars. Pray that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life. Those in charge can impact that, and they have. Laws against assemblies, worship and baptism would profoundly impact the disciples. The disciples were not overthrowing the government. Their goal was to live a tranquil and quiet life.

Think about that expression from our verse today, “tranquil and quiet life.” Not a loud life. Not a “in you face” life. Not a revolutionary. Not a trouble-maker. But a peaceful life. A quiet life.

Some thoughts:

First, our choices and involvement especially on social media has a lot to do with a tranquil and quiet life. Stirring things up by posting things that irritate and bother others draws a response. People jump into the discussion. Lots of things are said back and forth. Anger surfaces. Name calling. Insulting terms are used. Those things get people excited in a negative way. It creates strife and stress. It causes the blood to boil for some. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. Toss some bait out into the water and see if any sharks attack. They will.

Now, this is not the path to a tranquil and quiet life. “Did you read what this guy posted on Facebook,” and off we go, canons loaded and ready to go to war. We can’t police what people post. But you certainly do not have to attend every argument that you are invited to. Keeping that tranquil and quiet life may mean not reading what people post. It may mean keeping to yourself.

Second, even without social media, we can take sides and get involved in disputes that take place within the congregation. Something was said. It wasn’t said to us, about us or concerning us, but we feel compelled to jump into the skirmish and get involved. We muddy the waters when we do that. And, at the end of the day, we have not lived a peaceful, quiet life. We helped stir things up. We kept the fire going. We got in the middle of things that was none of our business. Rather than encouraging, we often discourage. Rather than helping, we can hurt. Rather than making things better, we can make things worse.

Third, the tranquil and quiet life is a state of the mind. It’s not about sitting on the beach and watching the tides roll in. It’s not about a lazy Saturday afternoon where a nap is the most important thing on your list of things to get done. No, in the midst of a busy day, a heavy work schedule, lots of people around and lots of demands, your life can still be peaceful and quiet. This comes from the insides and not the outsides. This comes from knowing our Savior. This is not a quality found only after retirement. Retirement is a concept that was not known in the first century world.

Letting the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as the Colossians were told leads to the tranquil life. Letting your mind dwell upon things that are pure, lovely and good as the Philippians were instructed leads to a quiet life. Worry, fear, anger, doubt stir us up and agitates our insides. As much as I do not like the movie “Frozen,” the major song, “Let it go,” is so appropriate here. Let things go. Let the shepherds shepherd. Let the deacons serve. Work out your own salvation. Stop being upset about who parks their car where, how late some come, where some sit and on and on and on, the list goes.

For years I used a story when I taught about worship about a couple driving home after Sunday morning services. The wife asked her husband if he saw sister Smith’s shoes. The husband said no. The wife asked if he saw how late the Jones family came in. The husband said no. The wife asked if saw who was sitting with the Thompson girl. The husband said no. Finally, frustrated, the wife declared, “It does you a lot of good going to church.” Bothered by others was Martha’s problem. It wasn’t serving. It was she was serving and her sister was sitting. That’s what bothered her. It burnt the biscuits.

How do I live a peaceful and quiet life? I stop allowing others to bother me and I focus upon what a wonderful relationship I have with Jesus. I think about the powerful spiritual blessings found in Christ. I think about how He has forgiven me and loves me.

Peaceful. Tranquil. Quiet. Have you prayed for those things? Have you sought those things? It sure makes a difference in your life when you stop trying to run the universe and fix everyone you come in contact with.

Roger

Jump Start # 3206

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, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

We just had an another election this week. There was a lot of hype saying that this may be the most important election in this generation. It seems that same thing was said about the last election. And, in any election, some are happy and others are sad. The divided times that we live in only makes that magnified. Sad becomes mad and with that comes charges and claims about how unfair the results were.

Our verse today, the apostle calls on us to be prayerful and to include in those prayers, kings and all who are in authority. This was to be so a peaceful life could be lived among the people of God. We remember that those early Christians didn’t have a say in who would rule over them. They did not have elections as we do. Corruption, violence and vice were very common among the political hierarchy in Rome. The brethren couldn’t vote, but they could pray. They could pray remembering that God removes kings and appoints leaders. God is always upon the throne.

Now some thoughts from this:

First, those in leadership positon, be it in politics, business, school, or even within the kingdom must keep in mind those that they are leading. To forget that, is to abuse your position and it often is the source of many problems, complaints and heartache. How many times is the expression, “we don’t count,” often heard in business, in government and sadly, even in the church. Too often the decisions that are made are based upon selfish motives and with an intention of keeping the position and power.

The abuse of power and position often leads to uprisings. On a boat, it’s called a mutiny. The captain is set a float in a small row boat as the crew takes over the ship. In ancient politics, the abuse often led to assassinations and a take over of the government. In business, it leads to workers quitting. And, in the church it leads to splits.

It is an honor to lead people. One must do it nobly and with the intention of doing what is right. When one believes that he is better than others because of his title or position, he will quickly lose the qualities of a leader and become a tyrant.

Second, those that follow are not in the position of leaders and we must remember that. Rebellions, mobs, riots are caused not by those in charge, but by those who wish they were in charge. Leaders often must make the difficult call that is painful yet necessary. Even in the powerful Shepherd Psalm, David was led through dark valleys and sat at the table with his enemies. Those are places he likely would not like to be, but it was necessary as he followed the shepherd. If we only followed the leaders we liked or obeyed the rules that were pleasant to us, chaos would ensue. And, it does. Just notice how people drive these days. In long lines of traffic, people have made U-turns right in front of a No U-turn sign. Some drive in the grass or emergency lane just to get around others. They are doing what they want to do. If followers do not follow leaders, then the leaders have no impact.

Third, we must be prayerful towards our leaders. We may not like them. But much too often we’d rather complain about them, post mean things on social media about them, talk down about them than pray for them. Can you imagine praying for a Caesar? Take your pick of them. None of them would fit our liking. Yet, the apostle urged, begged, pleaded, with brethren to be praying for them. I wonder if our times would be better if we prayed more for our leaders?

Fourth, in the excitement of elections and the obsession with red and blue and left and right, let us never forget that there is an up and a down. Every two years there is an election. The ads fill the commercials on TV. The mailbox is stuffed with information about the candidates. Lots and lots of money flows into these campaigns. For the most part, one won’t hear from the majority of these candidates until another two years. And, in all of this, God is the one who holds our allegiance. There has been wars, recessions, inflation, disasters, corruption, good times and bad times, and our God is still there. Candidates come and go, yet, God is still there. We must never forget that we are first and always disciples of Jesus.

Another election…time for more prayers.

Roger

Jump Start # 1721

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, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

  Today is election day in America. It’s a big one this year, Presidential. The commercials on TV have been non-stop political ads. Our mailboxes have been stuffed with cards about who to vote for. Sadly, after today, we won’t hear from most of these folks again until the next election.

Voting, especially in a democracy, is a uniquely American concept. History, particularly, Biblical history, never knew the concept of voting for a political ruler. The Pharaohs, kings of Assyria, Babylon, even of Israel and Judah and the Roman Caesars were chosen based upon family. The common person had little say. The history of these rulers is immersed in rival plots, assassinations and exiles. The “cup bearer,” that we read about, such as Nehemiah, was more than a butler to the ruler. He was a food tester. The king didn’t trust his cooking staff. In an event that they tried to poison him, the cupbearer would be the one who died. Biblical history tells of family members who killed off their own siblings to keep the throne.

Here, we get to vote. This opens up the concept for the Christian to consider who do I vote for. It must be more than my favorite party. The Christian looks at principles. He looks at the moral stance. He must consider which candidate will be best for the kingdom. It is easy to say, “Neither one,” and thus stay home. But to not vote is to give up a right that so few have ever had in this world. It’s easy to think, my vote won’t matter. But it does. It’s one of many that can make a difference.

The Bible does teach about the Christian’s responsibility and the government. Jesus told a questioning crowd,  that they were to render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. There are things that belong to Caesar. Taxes are one of them. We also owe our obedience and our submission. Romans and 1 Peter teach this. The right for a people to be governed and the right for that government to tax and punish citizens is established by God. The Lord has all authority. He gave some of that authority to the government. In Romans, the government is referred to as God’s minister. That’s a strange expression for us. We tend to think of the minister as the preacher. The word minister means servant. The government acts as God’s servant.

Our verse today reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority. I don’t hear that much these days. Maybe we’ve given up. Maybe we think that not even God can help these people. But I doubt that our government is as corrupt, wicked and ungodly as early Rome was. The execution of Christians became common. God didn’t immediately stop that. He encouraged His people to be faithful. Revelation and 2 Peter are written about that.

Men in the past have held views that the Christian should have nothing to do with the government. Some have looked down upon the Christian and voting even. I’d rather have more of God’s people in public service. Maybe things could shape up better if meetings began with prayer and if an open Bible sat upon the governor’s or President’s desk. God’s people can make a difference.

Who should I vote for? Some would just want to be told. It’s not that easy and we can’t do that is this format. It’s like the question, “How much should I give?” Certainly, someone can just tell you, but that hasn’t helped you or taught you a thing. You give based upon your faith. The greater your faith, the more you tend to give. You vote the same way. You vote based upon your faith. The greater your faith the more you consider the implications of laws, judges, rights and God. When someone asks, “Do you vote Republican or Democrat?” My answer is, “I vote Christian.” I vote according to my faith.

It may seem like my one little vote won’t do much today. But given the chance to vote, don’t you think God will consider whether or not I did, and what was the basis or the motive of my choice. Is it selfish? Is it political? Is it spiritual?

But one thing we know and we need to be reminded of often, God is upon the throne. He told Daniel that He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan 2:21). Through all those Pharaohs God was upon the throne. He heard the cries of His people. Through the Babylonians, the Caesars God remains upon the throne. And after tonight, whether it is Hillary or Donald, God remains upon the throne. His will cannot be overthrown. His kingdom will endure forever. We must, as the apostles told the city officials of Rome, obey God rather than man. And we will.

The greatest change and hope for our country is not in who is elected but rather, in Jesus Christ. The more Christ lives in others, the greater things will be. Imagine if everyone, everywhere was a Christian. No ISIS. No Russian threats. No racial tensions. No deceiving and taking advantage of others. Everyone, everywhere was a Christian. Can you imagine? We wouldn’t have to sign our life away to buy a house. A handshake would do it. We wouldn’t have to have locks on doors or alarms. There would be no identity theft. Everyone, everywhere a Christian. Every person you met, a Christian. No raunchy movies. No gossip. No bullies. No lying. Everyone doing the best that they could. No drugs. No crime. No hatred. Will that ever happen? Not down here. But that is what Heaven will be like.

Our greatest need is not the conservative agenda. It’s not the liberal platform. It’s Jesus. We need Jesus. It starts in our own hearts and in our own homes.

O’ to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer…this is my constant longing and prayer.

Roger