23

Jump Start # 4018

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4018

 

Matthew 9:10 “Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.”

 

Baxter in one of his books states, “Often, in the Scriptures, there is a world in a word, in the color of an adjective, the tense of a verb, the turn of a preposition.”  Such could be said of our passage today. Jesus had just called Matthew, the tax collector, to come and follow Him. What an odd mixture of political differences Jesus brought together. Common fishermen, a religious zealot and now one who worked for the Romans, a tax-collector. So different and likely having very little interest in each other now joined together by the Lord.

 

Jesus comes to the home of the tax collector. He is there for dinner, something the fishermen, and the zealot would never do. Other tax collectors are there. Other social misfits are there. The text calls them “sinners.” Later our Lord would go to the home of the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus.

 

The little three word phrase, “in the house,” carries more than just location. It can mean, “at home.” We know what “at home” means. Gone on a long trip, even a vacation, there is no place like home. Coffee just tastes better from your own cup at your own table. Homes sweet home, we call it. Even though your home may need updating and there are tons of “to-do” projects, it is your home. The college student looks forward to coming home on Spring Break. Grandkids love roaming through grandma’s house and seeing all the treasures she has.

 

At home carries the idea of being comfortable. We understand the opposite of that. It is to be out of place, uncomfortable. Many years ago, I went to India for three weeks to preach. I was never “at home” there. The smells, the customs, the food, the music, the culture, the language was so different. I wasn’t comfortable. I wasn’t “at home.”

 

Jesus was comfortable in the home of a tax collector. He was “at home” there. And, in just about every setting, Jesus seemed to be “at home.” Being a carpenter Jesus was “at home” on the water. Being from tiny Nazareth, He was at home in Jerusalem. He was “at home” with crowds. He was “at home” with social outcasts such as Samaritans, tax collectors and centurions. He was “at home” with the diseased, crippled, hurting and hopeless.

 

Jesus coming from Heaven would have never dealt with the things He did on earth. Yet, He seemed comfortable. And, more than that, Jesus had a way to make others feel comfortable around Him. Unholy in the presence of Holy. Imperfect in the presence of the Perfect. Confused in the presence of the Truth. This is why we find all sorts of people coming to Jesus. The hurting. Centurion. Canaanite woman. Parents. Religious leaders. They could talk to Jesus. They wanted to be around Jesus.

 

Now, here are some thoughts for us here:

 

First, as comfortable as this world is, we must remember this is not our home. Becoming too comfortable here lessens our desire to be with our Father in Heaven. This is hard because this is the only world we have ever known. We have nothing to compare this with. But, there are constant things that plague us from being comfortable here. The wickedness of our times, the indifference to our God, the thirst for all things wrong, makes us cry, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

 

Second, it is very important that we make the guests to our worship services comfortable. For many, it’s so different than what they have ever witnessed before. Our worship is not a performance. Our God is upon the throne, not a stage. What we say to our guests, our expressions upon our faces, welcomes them or it says loudly, “What are you doing here?” Guests may not dress the way you think they should. They may come with drink bottles. They likely may not have a Bible in their hand. Help them. Give them one. Invite a guest to sit with you. Don’t smother them with thousands of personal questions that would make one feel uncomfortable. Remember, the goal is for them to be “at home,” with us. Smiles. Kindness. Helpful.

 

Third, we need to be “at home” with our Lord. Comfortable with God. Comfortable with talking to our Father. Comfortable with His word. Comfortable with knowing His will. Comfortable with His presence. Decades and decades of reading that Bible ought to make you feel very comfortable. You know where to find hope and promises. You know what pages will comfort you. You know how to find answers.

 

At home. One day we will be at home, Heaven. Jesus was “in the house” at Matthew’s place. Jesus was comfortable.

 

Roger

 

20

Jump Start # 4017

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4017

 

Psalms 10:18 “To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.”

 

Among the troubles and worries in the world is the presence of the wicked. Their mindset is evil. They no longer have a working conscience. They are a god only to themselves. The righteous are many times the innocent victim of the evil that comes from the wicked. Sometimes the wicked mingles around the righteous. They are found as co-workers and neighbors. Sometimes they pop up within the family. Here in our passage, he is labeled as “that man who is of the earth.” He is not of God. He is not of righteousness.

 

This Psalm is a prayer for protection from the man of the earth. The majority of this Psalm is a detailed description of the man of the earth. His heart, his attitude, his words, his thinking are all corrupt and evil.

 

Within this chapter, there seems to be a progression of thought. Notice this:

 

First, the man of the earth begins by boasting that there is no God. “All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God” (4). Such is foolishness because God’s fingerprint is all over His creation. By saying this, the man of the earth feels that he is accountable to no one. He doesn’t have to go by the rules. When he dies, he believes, it’s all over. His life is encased in grabbing as much fun as he can.

 

Second, there seems to be a subtle shifting that takes place. In verse eleven, the man of the earth declares, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” He has moved from thinking there is no God, to there is a God, but He doesn’t see what we do. God is too busy to be concerned with things here. Once, again, this allows the man of the earth to do whatever he wants. If God doesn’t see, then the wicked can never get in trouble for the evil that is done.

 

Third, there is yet more shifting that takes place. The man of the earth now says, “You will not require it” (13). There is a God. God has a law. But, it’s just words. God doesn’t really mean it. The man of the earth can get around what God says. He’ll find a loophole, an exception, a way in which he can continue doing what he wants to do. God is all talk and no action. There is nothing to fear because God won’t do anything. Such is the twisted thinking of the man of the earth.

 

Although there seems to be a progression in his thinking about God, it doesn’t change the man of the earth. His life without God has allows him to “curse the Lord” (3), speak evil (7), and plan wickedness against the innocent (8).

 

The man of the earth believes that he is at the helm of life and has the world by its tail. In his boasting, mocking and ridicule of the Lord and oppression upon the innocent, he has made the world darker and more broken. Because of the man of the earth, the innocent are left wondering why God doesn’t intervene and do something. The prayers of the innocent and righteous seem to go unanswered. The man of the earth ridicules and laughs at the righteous. Nothing, he believes, will stop him. On he goes, deeper and deeper into the darkness of Satan and evil, leaving a path of destruction and tears.

 

He can say what he wants, but it doesn’t disprove the existence nor the will of the Lord. By the time the man of the earth learns his lessons, it will be too late for him. He will see on the other side that God is righteous and just. His sins will catch up with him and his cold heart will condemn him.

 

What this Psalm doesn’t address is what should we, the righteous do? The man of the earth seems powerful, unstoppable and uncaring. He seems to crush those who stand for what is right. He takes. He flaunts. He answers to no one.

 

Here is what the righteous will do:

 

First, as this Psalm addresses, the righteous will pray. This chapter is not directed towards the man of the earth. It is pointed to Heaven. It is a plea to God for help. God hears. One of the greatest actions we can do is to take it to the Lord in prayer.

 

Second, we must continue to walk righteously with the Lord. The man of the earth would love to see the righteous slow down. Stop being so righteous is what he wants. But, we can’t. We won’t. It may be hard and even pains us, but this is what we do. Our lights shine the brightest when all around us is the deep darkness. Continue to worship. Continue to practice the golden rule. Continue to pray. Don’t let the hurtful words of others, especially family, slow you down.

 

Third, know that one day all will be right. One day there will be a separation between the sheep and the goats. One day the man of the earth will  reap what he has sown. Until then, we must carry on.

 

Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear. Jesus is coming soon…

 

Roger

 

19

Jump Start # 4016

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4016

Acts 2:47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

Rule of Thumb

 

Recently, I received a publication called, Ministry, which is published by the college of Biblical Studies at Oklahoma Christian University. This publication is devoted to church growth and finding ways to get congregations more active in the Lord’s work.

 

The summer issue of this paper contained an article called, “Rules of Thumb.” It was based upon  Win Arn’s The Church Growth Ratio Book. Listed in the article were several factors to see “How does your church measure up to these church growth ratios?”

 

Included in the list were:

 

Auditorium capacity rule of thumb: 80% occupancy is the point at which U.S. churches tend to plateau in growth.

 

Classroom space rule of thumb: 80% occupancy is the point at which classes tend to plateau in growth. Regarding classroom size, young children need 25 sq ft. per child. Youth needs 12 sq ft each and adults need 10 sq ft each.

 

Parking rule of thumb: 90% occupancy is the general maximum for U.S. churches.

 

Acreage rule of thumb: One acre of land for every 100 members.

 

Ministerial rule of thumb: One full time minister for every 150 members.

 

Elder ratio rule of thumb: One shepherd for every 40-50 adult members.

 

Deacon ration rule of thumb: One deacon for every 25 members.

 

Giving rule of thumb: for an urban church, $20.00 per member per week.

 

Conversion rule of thumb: For every 100 members, there should be 10 baptisms per year.

 

  Evangelism rule of thumb: For every baptism, 100 contacts must be made.

 

Now let me share a few of my own observations about: Rules of thumb.

 

  1. The above list of rules are lacking Bible verses to support these claims. This is a serious matter.

 

  1. These rules of thumbs smell of a denominational business model stench that is built upon the premise that Wall Street marketing is better than the old Jerusalem model. Rules of Thumb may work in business and school but not necessarily the kingdom of God.

 

  1. Our only rules, whether thumbs or big toes, ought to be the word of God. We do not need rules, guidelines or creeds to set forth our direction or pattern. God’s word is able to provide all that we need (2 Tim 3:16-17).

 

  1. Can you imagine the apostles in Acts 2 looking to buy 30 acres of real estate because 3,000 souls had been baptized? In Acts 4:4 when 5,000 more were baptized, the apostles would have to find another 50 acres of land. The Bible says they were devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word and not the acre/member ratio. They were in the preaching business not real estate business.

 

  1. What if a church did not measure up to these rules of thumb? Would that mean the church was dead? Would a church be considered less than faithful for not having 25 sq ft. per child in a classroom? Rules like these would pronounce Noah a failure and Paul as ineffective because they did not produce great results.

 

These Rules of Thumb will not help us. Congregations that want to grow should follow the plans of the N.T. Ephesians 4;11-16 is God’s rule of thumb, and that is for every member to actively do his part. This, inspiration tells us, causes the growth of the body.

 

The early church turned the world upside down and that was without any real estate.

 

Roger

October, 1994

 

 

 

18

Jump Start # 4015

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4015

 

Daniel 3:6 “But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.”

 

Our verse comes from the amazing account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, the Babylonian names given to the young Jewish men. Far from home, in a land and culture so different from what they were accustomed to, these three learned some fast lessons. These could be college students away in a university. They could be a young couple who have moved states away to begin their careers and family.

 

Here are three lessons that they quickly learned:

 

First, not everyone is nice. They were not in Babylon on a field trip. They were taken against their will. Captives. Given Babylonian names that disgraced Jehovah, forced to eat food that they wouldn’t eat and now to bow to an idol. Our verse shows the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, the king. Disobey and you will die.

 

Not all teachers are nice. Not all people in position of authority are nice. Not all bosses are nice. Not all neighbors are nice. Not only that, there are those who want you to join them in doing things that are not nice. Evil loves company.

 

This reminds us that we need to be careful who we call friend. We need to be careful about who and what we share our life with. Not everyone needs to know the details of your life. Not everyone can keep secrets secret. We need to be careful who we date and who we marry. You need someone who will help you journey to the Lord. Someone that you can talk with spiritually and personally.

 

Second, not everything makes sense. Bowing to an idol made of metal and created and fashioned by man doesn’t make sense. It’s lifeless. It cannot move. It cannot hear. It cannot speak. Why praise something lifeless? It doesn’t make sense.

 

There are things that some say that makes no sense. We try to understand and be reasonable, but what they say just doesn’t add up. It makes no sense. Evolution is like that. It doesn’t make sense. How does life come from non-life? And, if that can happen, why doesn’t it continue to happen? It makes no sense.

 

Sin doesn’t make sense. A moment of fun for the price of your spiritual wellness, freedom and future? That doesn’t make sense.

 

Third, not every choice is easy. It wasn’t for these three Jewish boys. The right choice came with grave consequences. There are times when we must listen to our head and not our hearts. Our hearts get tangled up emotionally and can we can walk blindly into something that causes heartache and trouble. There comes a time when you may have to leave a situation, walk out of a movie, tell your date ‘take me home.’ Those are stressful moments, but they are driven by conviction and faith.

 

And for Shadrach and his two friends, Satan would have them believe that there was no other way. They had to bow down. Satan would have them believe that all these other people could not be wrong. Everyone was bowing but them. Could all those others be wrong? Satan would have them believe that since they are a long way from home, no one would know. Just bow one time.

 

It is hard to stand when everyone around you is bowing. It’s hard to stand when the safest thing is to bow. These three had deep spiritual conviction. And, conviction sees the principle above the person. Conviction sees the principle above the situation. Conviction will show you options when you do not think there are any.

 

A stat revealed that 65% of high school grads will lose their faith by the time they finish college. How did these three Jewish captives have the faith to do what was right? They believed from their hearts. They learned what was right and it became part of their spiritual DNA.

 

Lessons learned. We need to learn them and then teach others.

 

Roger

 

 

17

Jump Start # 4014

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4014

 

Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.’ So Aaron, therefore kept silent.”

 

 

Our verse today follows a very tragic story in our Bibles. Aaron’s two sons, serving as priests, are killed during an act of worship. In today’s world, cameramen, reporters, first responders, police would all be at the scene. A mic would be shoved in front Aaron to get his comments. Moses would be interviewed. But, none of that happened.

 

Aaron’s sons offered a strange fire. The ESV words it “unauthorized.” Did they want to be different? Did they think it didn’t matter? Did they want to make a name for themselves by doing this? Did they think God would be ok with this?

 

The fire consumed the two of them and they died. They died right there. Moses doesn’t try to find a way to justify what they did. He didn’t find an excuse. He stood with God. They approached God in an unholy manner. Priests or not, God doesn’t tolerate such attitudes.

 

They died. Struck down by God. Died in disobedience. Died not honoring the Lord. And, as Moses explains this to his brother Aaron, our verse ends with the words, “Aaron kept silent.” Others word this, “Aaron held his peace.”

 

Aaron didn’t lash out at God. He didn’t complain that the Lord didn’t give them a second chance. By killing them, they had no opportunity to repent and do better. Was the punishment more than the crime? Why was the Lord moving so quickly on what they did? Aaron held his peace.

 

Solomon tells us that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Most never know when that time it is. Somehow empty heads seems to speak the loudest and the longest. Aaron held his peace.

 

Job’s friends followed this path for a short time. For a week, they sat with Job without saying anything. Then they felt compelled to respond to Job and things went down hill very quickly. They should have remained silent.

 

Here are some lessons for us:

 

First, sermon critics are the most popular position in many churches. They have a keen eye to catch every typo and misspelled word. Their ears can hear every butchered rule of grammar. A lady came to Henry Ward Beecher after one of his sermons and proclaimed, “I caught only three grammar mistakes in your sermon.” Beecher replied, “Sometimes grammar gets in the way when I’m preaching.” So true!

 

Aaron kept silent. Something to think about. This doesn’t fit just sermons, but song leading, praying, announcements.

 

Second, what could Aaron say? His sons were wrong. There is no way to repackage this so that his sons come out looking good. They don’t. Aaron knew that you can’t fight God. You’ll lose every time. Aaron didn’t want to participate in wrong by accusing the Lord. That would make Aaron unholy.

 

There was a time when a kid got in trouble at school, he really got in trouble when he got home. But, these days, mom and dad march back to the school, demanding an apology, their attorney’s number on speed dial, making threats and acting very unholy. Aaron held his peace.

 

Someone at the congregation is disciplined. Fellowship is withdrawn. What follows is that all that person’s family and friends pitch a big fuss and they leave. Aaron held his peace. There are thoughts that we just need to keep to ourselves. There are things that should not be spoken to others.

 

Third, there are moments when silence speaks louder than words. I can’t imagine what Aaron thought that night as he pillowed his head and thought about the death of his sons. I wonder what words he spoke to the Lord? Did he say that he was sorry for what they did?

 

Nadab and Abihu for thousands of years have become the poster children of disobedience and rebellion. They are used over and over in lessons about authority. They are the proof point of what happens when you don’t follow the Lord. And, through all of this, Aaron held his peace.

 

Roger