13

Jump Start # 4075

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4075

 

1 Chronicles 12:32 “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. “

 

What a powerful and insightful expression, the men of Issachar ’understood the times.’ There are many who never get that. They don’t know what time it is. For some, the calendars ought to still read 1970’s. The world has moved past that, but some haven’t. In their thinking, in the way their congregations operate, they still want it to be the glorious ’70s.

 

Individually, a person needs to understand the times.  We preachers often struggle with this. One of the reasons why I am retiring from local preaching is that the congregation I am a part of is changing. It is transitioning to becoming a younger demographic. Many young people getting married. Lots of babies being born. Many young couples. It’s exciting and great to see. A lot of energy. Tons of talent. It’s a great season for our congregation. But, understanding the times, our group doesn’t need a grandfather like me trying to connect to their world. They need someone who is right in there with them and fits their age. There comes a time to pass the baton on to someone younger, who has the energy and drive to help those of the same age. It’s a matter of “understanding the times.” There is no shame, sadness or wishing things could be different. The times dictate this and that is wonderful. I have seen old preachers trying to hang on, telling old and out of date stories, and not really connecting with the audience. Bless their hearts, they don’t understand the times. I made a reference in a Bible class to the famed Gano family of preachers from which Howard Hughes came. I think about half the audience had no idea who Howard Hughes was. Understanding the times.

 

Here are some thoughts about understanding the times:

 

First, we may not like the times and wish for other times, but what we have is what we need to work with. Studies after studies reveal that most people do not like to read. Magazines and newspapers have died because they didn’t understand the times. So, if everything a congregation is doing is in print form and a vast majority of the community is no longer reading, then a major disconnect takes place. Tract racks hanging on the back wall of a church building was a thing in the 70s. Today, most of those tracts gather dust.

 

Our times is into bullet points, videos, podcasts and short messages. Congregations need to pour more resources into websites that are user friendly, attractive and up to date. I’ve looked at some church websites that our brethren have and find the most current sermon was three or four years ago. People will check you out on line before they ever walk into your building. Understand the times.

 

New cars no longer come with CD players. Are we still cranking out CD’s of each sermon? Understand the times.

 

If a congregation does not know how to do those things, reach out and find someone who can show you, teach you and develop what you need.

 

Second, in our homes, we need to understand the times. Friction is caused when parents and grandparents insist on how to lay a baby in bed, feed a baby or things like that. Understand the times. Things change and ways we thought were right may not be the best methods today.

 

Third,  For generations, most congregations have run a thirteen week Bible class schedule. Most class material is written in thirteen weeks. To be honest, there are some times when by week eight, as a teacher, I’m finished with the class. Rabbits are chased just to complete the thirteen weeks. Why? Who says classes must be thirteen weeks long? A few years ago, we tried an experiment with teaching back to back five week classes. I was the teacher for this project. The first five weeks: Five things you need to know about the Holy Spirit. The second five weeks: Revelation in Five Days. Fast paced and great. Understand the times.

 

We have seen this transition in the way we hold Gospel Meetings. These days it is very common to have a Sunday through Wednesday meeting. Some miss the good ole’ days of a Sunday through Friday meeting. If you are old enough, before that the meetings were two weeks long. Every night for two weeks. Before that, some never had an ending time. When people were not being baptized, the meeting would conclude. It might be two weeks. It might be twenty days. No one really knew. These days, that just wouldn’t work well. We haven’t lost the faith. We understand the times.

 

There was a time when congregations would print up hundreds of flyers and mail them out to the community advertising an upcoming Gospel meeting. And, we loved that expression, “Gospel Meeting.” These days, many do not have a clue what that means. Our neighbors have “meetings” at work and they are long and boring. So, after a full days work come over to our Gospel MEETING, just doesn’t sound inviting to them. Maybe “Bible Lessons.” Maybe promote the topic more than the preacher. And, those flyers, these days, most are thrown immediately in the trash. We just had an election here in Indiana. Every day, my mail box had a bunch of political flyers. Did I read them? Did I even look at them? It is expensive to print and mail. Try social media. Try getting the congregation to post things their friends.

 

Understanding the times. The guys at Issachar got it. They knew what time it was. Do we? Let’s take a look at what we do and why we are doing it. Maybe it’s time to toss the 1970s calendars.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

12

Jump Start # 4074

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4074

 

Obadiah 3 “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?’”

 

The little book of Obadiah doesn’t get a lot of attention unless we are doing a study of the Minor Prophets. It stands as one of five books of the Bible that have only one chapter. It is also one of the earliest of the written prophets and unique because it is addressed to the people of Edom. From verse 11-15, the word “day” is used nine times.

 

But in this tiny, old book we find something that is very much alive today. Obadiah opens this verse with, “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you”. The first step of discipleship is to deny yourself (Lk 9:23). Pride won’t allow that. Pride is interested in self. Pride likes self. And, as the ancient prophet warns, Arrogance deceives.

 

Consider:

 

First, pride leads to self-sufficiency. I don’t need anyone. For Edom, dwelling high among the cliffs convinced them that they were untouchable. No one could reach them, they believed. From a distance they would see a coming army and as that army struggled to work its way up the steep rocks, the soldiers of Edom would easily drive them back. No one can reach them, they believed. What they failed to realize is that the Lord could reach them and He would reach them. The Lord prophesied that the untouchable Edom would fall.

 

The church at Laodicea had a similar problem. They declared that they were in need of nothing. Got it all. Don’t need any help, any suggestions, any one. And, such pride will deny that there is a problem. The church may be sinking like a boat with a hole in it, yet some would proclaim that all is fine.

 

Pride has been the destruction of many marriages. Rather than seeking help, they pretend all is fine all the way to the courthouse where they will get a divorce. Some churches are just like that. Dwindling attendance. Lifeless classes. Atmosphere of indifference. No one reaches out and seeks for help. Pride prevents that.

 

Shepherds ought to reach out and get suggestions, ideas and help from others. Preachers need to learn from others. There is no shame in saying, “Can you help us?”

 

Second, pride leads to neglect and indifference. You see that in the way some take care of their homes, their farms, their cars and their health. Oh, they’d admit that they need to fix the barn someday, but they never do. One day, the barn caves in and falls. Why didn’t the farmer fix it? Too busy? Just didn’t want to? Wonderful layers that cover up the real issue, pride.

 

Pride will keep one from admitting wrong and confessing his sin. Like that farmer, that person will find colorful ways to cover up the pride. And, his excuses will hurt his family, his walk with the Lord and his faithfulness. Just come clean, is what others would see and say. But, his pride won’t allow that. He’ll jump all around his sin, pointing fingers at others but never truly seeking the forgiveness in Christ. His pride is killing him and he never realizes it.

 

Third, there is only one key answer to all of this and that is humility. Admit you need help. Admit you messed up. Admit you don’t know what to do or where to turn to. Pride will keep us from Heaven. Humble yourself by realizing you are not different or better than others. Humble yourself by confessing that you need the Lord. Humble yourself by listening to others who want to help you. Talk less and listen more. Humble yourself by emptying your heart of you and filling it back up with the Lord. Our hope is in the Lord. Our future is in the Lord. We want what the Lord wants.

 

Edom walked with a mirror in front of them. Many do the same today. Edom fell and many will fall when the judgment takes place.

 

The arrogance of your heart has deceived you. It is the truth of God’s word that will guide our steps and our hearts towards the Lord.

 

Roger

 

11

Jump Start # 4073

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4073

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

  Recently I ran across these “Jaw-dropping” stats about money and the average American in 2026:

 

  1. The average credit card debt is: $6,371
  2. The average savings account balance is: $2,812
  3. The average person has $104,215 in total debt
  4. The average retirement savings is $88,400
  5. On average those between the ages of 65-74 have a median savings of $200,000
  6. 62% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
  7. The average FICO credit score is: 715
  8. The average person spends $314 a month eating out
  9. Only 44% of Americans have a budget

 

That picture is rather bleak. And, what’s worse is that many will be ok with these numbers because they are doing what everyone else is doing. They are in the “average” lane. Just like everyone else. Typical. Normal. Staying in the average lane may put you with a lot of people, but it’s not going to get you out of that mess that you are currently in and it won’t avoid a coming financial nightmare. Some serious changes need to take place. A person has to be different than average or normal if they want to manage their money well. They are going to do things differently than most people. They will have to have a plan and stick with that plan if they are ever going to move out of the average lane. Some hard choices must be made.

 

We see what this looks like on paper financially. But, the reality is, my house needs a new roof and I want to take a vacation and the kids need braces and the truck needs new brakes. So, we kick the financial goals and plans down the road, thinking that once we are through this little crisis, things will be better. But, as soon as these things clear up, the next storm comes rolling in. The dog needs surgery, summer camps, swim lessons, the carpet really needs to be replaced, and once again we kick the can down the road. As soon as this storm clears, we’ll start saving. And, we begin to wonder if we can ever move out of the “average” lane. Some give up and think there is no hope. Some just don’t want to think about it, so they don’t. Some how it will work out in the end is what some are hoping for. They don’t know how or when or even have a plan, but things tend to just work out and that’s what they are counting on.

 

And, sometimes it just takes a serious reality check to make the necessary changes that will move a person out of the typical, average lane of life financially. Sitting down and looking at the numbers on paper and seeing where all of this leads to and having serious conversations is the first steps.

 

Now, to your surprise, this Jump Start is not about finances. It’s about our walk with the Lord. How easy it is to settle into the comfortable life of an “average Christian,” doing typically what everyone else is doing. I’ve heard people describing themselves as “I’m just an ordinary member,” or, “I’m a regular Christian.” Excuse me! You are blood brought. You are part of the greatest kingdom in the world. You are a child of God. You are Heaven Bound. God is working in you, through you and with you. You have a fellowship with the greatest people on this planet, the people of God.

 

The Corinthians were told to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” The Thessalonians were encouraged to “excel still more” in their walk with the Lord. In the great sermon on the mount, our Lord asked, “what more are you doing than others?” Timothy was encouraged to let his “progress be evident to all.”

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, don’t be content where you are spiritually. A car in idle or neutral, makes no progress. Some have parked their faith the day they came out of the baptistry. Progress has been stopped. They have grown little. They have done little. They attend on Sunday, just like the average Christian, and they are content to be just that, an average Christian. That ought to bother us. We ought to realize that our Lord is not average. God deserves the best that we can do.

 

Something is terribly wrong in a disciple’s faith when they have to be begged, guilted, scolded to attend services for the Lord who died for them. Average won’t cut it. Get both feet in the Kingdom and get busy. There are people to be encouraged. There are people who need help. There are people to teach. There are people to invite. We serve an extraordinary God. Let your faith be the same.

 

Second, stop looking around at what others are doing and you get busy doing what you know you should. Just doing enough to get into Heaven is a thought we have manufactured. You won’t find that in the Scriptures. Get into God’s book and lower the nets. Get into the fellowship of God’s people and be a Barnabas. Be an Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures. Be a Titus, refreshing the spirits of others.

 

There really is not such thing as an Average Christian. Each of us, in our own unique way, with our own talents given by the Lord are busy doing wonderful things for the Lord. What I find in Scriptures are “dead” Christians, like at Sardis and “lukewarm” Christians, like at Laodicea. Typical. Average. That’s not what you find in the Kingdom of God.

 

Third, realize that God has gone above and beyond for each of us. He has been so patient with us. He has blessed us better than we deserve. He has woven people into our lives that have made incredible differences to us. God is not average. God is not typical. He continues to amaze us. Shouldn’t I go above and beyond for Him?

 

Just like with our finances, we may need to have some serious conversations about our walk with the Lord. We may need to make some real changes. We may need some help.

 

How are you doing? Can I help you?

 

Roger

 

 

 

08

Jump Start # 4072

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4072

 

Psalm 34:3 “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

 

Growing up, we had a neighborhood friend named Gordon. He was my little brother’s age. He always came to our birthday parties. He often would bring one of his old toys from home, some even had his name written on the bottom, and that’s what he would give. It wasn’t that his family was poor. That’s just the way Gordon was. He’d get new toys for himself and when he was tired of the old ones they became birthday presents to my brother.

 

Ancient Israel had a similar problem. God wanted the best of the lambs and the first fruits of their harvest. But often the nation of God gave the leftovers that no one wanted. The diseased and crippled lambs were offered in Malachi’s day. In Isaiah’s time, the purpose and motive behind the offerings was missing. And, God was fed up with them.

 

Notice some of the laments flowing out of the early chapter of Isaiah:

  • I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams (1:11)
  • I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats (1:11)
  • Bring your worthless offerings no longer (1:13)
  • Incense is an abomination to Me (1:13)
  • I hate your new moon festivals (1:14)
  • I am weary of bearing them (1:14)
  • When you pray, I will hide My eyes from you…I will not listen (1:15)

 

Like our old neighborhood friend, our worship, rather than pleasing the Lord, can insult and shame Him, because we have failed to bring the best. Excellence in worship ought to be foremost in our hearts. Bringing the best to the Lord, who has always given us the best, is what we need to do.

 

But there have been times when most of us could admit that we failed to bring God our best. We were sleepy during worship and didn’t get much nor put much into that service. There were times when because of worry, stress and coming events, we didn’t focus like we should have. There have been times when we gave the Lord our leftovers. Been there. Done that. Got a closet full of those T-shirts.

 

But, what do we do? Here are a few suggestions:

 

First, that type of worship ought to bother us. Reflecting back, we know we could have done better. Our worship is not defined by what others do. Maybe the song leader fumbled. Maybe the preaching was boring. Maybe the prayers were stale and lifeless. My worship does not depend upon others. When I have given God the leftovers, I need to feel bad. If I don’t, that’s a greater problem.

 

Second, ask the Lord to forgive you for not bringing your best. You know. He knows. So, strive to do better this next worship. Learn from your mistakes. Get to bed earlier so you won’t be so sleepy. Leave the troubles of the world behind you.

 

Third, make adjustments for the next worship. Try sitting in a different place. Try reading a few verses before you come. Try to lay aside the hectic things running through your mind and be thankful. Our verse today reminds us that our attention and focus ought to be on the Lord. Magnify the Lord. Don’t magnify your troubles. Don’t magnify yourself. The attention is upon the Lord.

 

Fourth, your best is all that you can give the Lord. Your best might be better than my best, but my best is all I can give the Lord. Don’t measure yourself with others. Focus. Pray. Praise.

 

Worship does something to the Lord and worship does something to us. And, your worship does something to others. They notice. They catch on quickly by watching you.

 

Leftovers or bringing the best? You know what the right choice is.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

07

Jump Start # 4071

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4071

 

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

Not Even Close

 

Neale Walsch has written a very popular book.  It is sold in grocery stories, gas stations, discount stores and bookstores. The title is intriguing. It appears to be a religious book. But actually, this book is nothing more than typical new age theology.

 

The Book is entitled, Conversations With God. Supposedly, this is what God has spoken to Walsch. It is Walsch’s “conversation with God.”

 

In one place, Walsch reports God saying:

 

“Listen to your feelings. Listen to your highest thoughts. Listen to your experience. Whenever any one of these differs from what you’ve been told by your teachers or read in your books, forget the words. Words are the least reliable purveyor of Truth.”

 

Did God really say that? No. Does God want us to make our feelings the standard of our life? No. Is the Bible the least “reliable purveyor” of truth? No.  Walsch’s book is not even close to what God really said.

 

What did God say?

 

  • Jer 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

 

  • Jn 8:31-32 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

  • Pv 14 :12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

 

  • Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

 

Instead of imagining what God might say, we need to focus upon what God HAS said. God has declared his will for all of us to know (Eph. 5:17).  God wants us to follow the Bible – His word.

 

Roger

February, 1999