20

Jump Start # 4080

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

Jump Start # 4080

 

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

 

Many people feel that as long as one has a sincere heart, the “little” details do not make much difference. Just follow the “Man,” is the call of today. Little things like worship, plan of salvation, organization of the church are viewed as insignificant as long as you follow the “Man.” There has been books written such as, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” implying that the small stuff doesn’t matter. Does it? Consider other “small things” that happens all the time:

 

  • Two million documents will be lost by the IRS this year
  • 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next 60 minutes
  • More than 2 million books will be shipped in the next twelve months with the wrong cover
  • Two planes landing daily at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago will be unsafe
  • 18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled in the next hour
  • 20,000 incorrect prescriptions will be written this year
  • 114,000 mismatched shoes will be shipped this year
  • 315 entries in Webster’s Dictionary will turn out to be misspelled

(information taken from Insight)

 

First, Jesus noticed the “small things.” He recognized the beauty of a flower (Mt 6:28), the death of a bird (Mt 10:29), the value of a penny (Mk 12:42), gratitude of a deed (Lk 17:15-18) and the devotion of a believer (Lk 7:37-46).

 

Second, small things can destroy. Peter was brought down by the voice of a ‘servant’ girl (Mt 26:6, 71), not a powerful soldier.

 

  • A little fault may ruin a character. A person may be very talented but have one fault, and be a failure. Did you ever hear someone say, “I like that person, except he is always talking about himself?” Or, “that person is a good man, but he is lazy.” Or, “That person will give you the shirt off his back, but he likes the bottle to much.” A little pride (Pv 16:18), envy (Jas 3:16), greed (Acts 5:3-4) lust (Mt 5:27-29), or malice (Eph 4:31), can lead to a big problem. A little social drinking (Prov 20:1) or a being a little “critical” can bring on great consequences. The tongue is a little member, but it can kindle a great strife (Jas 3:5).

 

  • A little sin will condemn us. God watches the “small stuff.” He knows the intentions of the hear. God know every word that we speak. God does not classify sins as “big or little.” The Bible doe not teach “mortal or venal” sins. All are the same with God (Rev 21:8). Wrong is wrong with God. There is no way to reshape wrong so it becomes right.

 

  • A little false doctrine will poison the soul. God has always demanded the truth (Gal 1:6-8). Notice how often it is mention in the preacher books (1 Tim 1:10; 2 Tim 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9). Every word of the Bible matters (Mt 28:20; 4:4). If it is in the Bible, it is important.

 

Small stuff can lead to big trouble. What about a decimal point out of place? What about a tiny spark in the wrong place?

 

Third, small things can make a big difference. Our verse today magnifies this in two special ways. First, to the person being helped, Jesus calls him a “little one”. He is not a big one. He is not one that can do things for you. He is not one who will repay you with a job. No, this is a little one. He likely can’t do much for you. Second, the gift or help is a cup of cold water. It’s not a case of water bottles. It’s not paying their water bill. It’s not digging a well for someone. Just one glass of water. How tiny, how insignificant and little that is. Yet, Heaven noticed. Heaven remembered.

 

It is the small things in the home and the church that really make a difference. Dad taking time to throw ball with his children. Mother helping the children with homework. These thing matter more than a large present at Christmas time. Husbands and wives doing the little things for each other will lead to a greater marriage. In the church, it is the friendly smiles, the Bible class teachers that go out of their way, the hospitality, the warmth and friendliness that visitors will remember.

 

Small things matter. They matter to God and they matter to us.

 

Roger

 

19

Jump Start # 4079

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

Jump Start # 4079

 

John 8:32 “And you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

 

I read a very interesting article the other morning about our Lord’s first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. The author of the article went into great details about Jewish weddings and how running out of wine was not only embarrassing to the host family, it could be a breach of contract. The bride’s family could sue the groom’s family because of the social blunder. The article detailed how not only did Jesus do what the groom could not do, Jesus did it in abundance in quantity and excellence in quality. Those were the common trademarks of God. He always brought the best. Such was a mirror to the Cross.

 

Loved the article and was very helpful. But in thinking on it, the author gave no references, detailed no footnotes, and never told his readers how he knew that Jewish weddings were like that. And, that thought led to some more thoughts.

 

The Bible landed in a time, culture and history that was already set and taking place. The more we understand those things the more insight into “why” certain things are asked and certain things are done. Reading the Bible with American eyes and with an American culture, can sometimes miss the settings and the backgrounds of what is going on. There are many resources that are rich in explaining things that helps us to understand. For instance, it seems very odd to us that Queen Esther could not just go talk to her husband, the king without being summoned. It’s odd, because that’s not the way our culture is. We see our President and the First Lady walking together to a helicopter, sitting together at a banquet, riding in the presidential car side by side. There is no formal appointment that she must make to talk to him. Our culture and Persian culture are not the same.

 

Good Bible classes will help us to understand the culture of ancient times and that will bring more insight and life to the verses of the Bible we study. I do this all the time.

 

HOWEVER, and there always seems to be a however hovering around, consider:

 

First, if we are not careful, we feel that it is necessary to rely upon these extra outside histories in order to know the Bible. Without admitting it, we conclude that we cannot know God’s word without these extra tools.  And, that makes us struggle with our verse today. Jesus said we can know the truth. Can I know it with just the Bible? Nothing but the Bible?

 

What about those believers who lived in small villages in Europe in the 1200’s? Many could barely read. They did not have access to universities, books and other studies. Was it possible for those people to know God’s word? Could they go to Heaven with just the Bible?

 

Second, our advance knowledge into cultures, languages, histories can make us believe that we are superior to others who do not know these things. Our insights and understanding of cultures can lead to thinking that we are more spiritual than those who don’t know these things. We may be able to dive deeply into Babylonian history and culture, but the ole’ farmer who has worn out his Bible though decades of reading may very well have a better understanding of the Lord than we do. Because we may know the gender of a word, and where the root word is from, does not mean that we are better than that simple farmer. There is always a place for learning. But intellectualism is just a step or two from arrogance.

 

Our Lord understood the value of speaking to the people. He chose a language that they could understand. He used illustrations that they would have seen in everyday life. He brought the message to the people. You don’t find the Lord using words that few understood. You don’t see Him explaining complex theories that only a handful would have understood. One doesn’t need a dictionary in one hand and a Bible in the other hand to understand the Lord.

 

Third, our times have made amazing strides and advancement in understanding the cultures that the Bible was placed in. Do your home work and check things out and not just take them for granted. Don’t be afraid to learn more about the life, the times, the cultures that our Bibles were a part of.

 

In the end, “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word.”

 

Roger

 

 

 

18

Jump Start # 4078

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

Jump Start # 4078

Revelation 3:21 “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I have also overcame, and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

 

Our verse today is what was said to the indifferent brethren at Laodicea. They were identified as being lukewarm. They claimed that they needed nothing. They didn’t see themselves as the Lord saw them. Pride and wealth had gotten the best of them.

 

It would be hard to be a member at Laodicea. You want to turn the temperature up on their faith and activity and they are very content to remain right where they were. You want more, and they don’t. You want depth, and they are happy with the way things are. Lukewarm, just enough faith to make one feel good and not enough faith to make a difference. Big toe in the water is what Laodicea was.

 

However, within these words we find hope. God had not given up on them. God did not walk away from them. Overcome, one of the key words in Revelation, is used twice in our verse. The Lord overcame. You overcome and there will be blessings.

 

The idea of overcome is not the same as ignoring, avoiding or getting around something. To overcome means you have gone through something. Most times it is something not pleasant. Rather than being defeated, you overcame. You became the victor.

 

Jesus overcame. Have you thought about what that involves?

 

  • Jesus overcame temptation. It’s one thing to say He was never tempted. But, that’s not the case. He was tempted. He saw the sweet appeal of thinking only of Himself. He saw how for the moment, what temptation offers seems very appealing. But, Christ overcame. He saw through those things and remained sinless.

 

  • Jesus overcame the desire to walk away from His mission. “Let this cup pass,” was a plea to find another way. Not the cross. Not the torture. Not the pain. Yet, He corralled His will by saying, “Thy will be done.” When the radicals begged Jesus to come off the cross, how appealing those words must have sounded. Jesus overcame. He stuck with the plan and became the sacrifice for the world.

 

  • Jesus overcame death. Satan’s greatest power is the darkness of death. Death could not hold Jesus. Up from the grave He arose. Death could not hold Him. He overcame.

 

That was the Lord. How about us?

 

First, contextually, the Laodiceans needed to overcome their spiritual apathy and indifference. It could be done. One doesn’t have to be like everyone else in the congregation. Do what you know is right and honor the Lord through your faith and actions.

 

Lifeless worship services does not have to be your prison. Find ways to honor the Lord and be engaged with the Lord in worship. Get there early. Bring your Bible. Think deeply. Pray earnestly. Overcome the dry, dull, meaningless worship that lukewarm Christians are content with. You paise the Lord from a heart that loves the Lord. Overcome.

 

Second, we must overcome the pull to be like everyone else. Be yourself. Be a disciple of the Lord. Let the Lord be your strength and your guide. Overcome the image that our culture paints. You don’t have to fall asleep with the TV on or looking at your phone only to walk up and that’s the first thing you do in the morning. That’s the way most live. You are living differently. You are living for the Lord.

 

Third, overcome the attitudes of complaining, bitterness and negativity. That’s our times. We complain about the weather, the food, the prices, the traffic, work and even worship. Don’t get caught up in that. Overcome. This is the day that the Lord has made, Rejoice. The complaining heart is not very thankful. It sees problems and not blessings. You overcome. You be the reason that someone smiles today. You find wonderful ways to thank the Lord.

 

Overcome. If we continued, we could make a long list. Those that overcome are the victors. They have walked by faith and used that courage that comes from the Cross.

 

The door wasn’t shut and locked on Laodicea. There was a light shinning through a window. Overcome. Rise to the occasion and do what you know the Lord wants. You can do it, because the Lord said so.

 

Overcome.

 

Roger

 

15

Jump Start # 4077

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4077

 

1 Kings 12:8 “But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.”

 

Our verse today reveals one of the lead up causes for the division of the nation of Israel. David made the nation strong. Solomon made the nation wealthy. Now, the torch is passed to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Rather than staying the course, he rejected the counsel of the elders and listened to his buddies that he grew up with. Solomon had taxed the people heavily to fund the construction of the Temple, his palace and other projects. Remember Ecclesiastes 2 where a detailed list of houses, gardens, ponds, orchards and livestock. I doubt Solomon used his own money for these things. Now, a new king was on the throne. Would he keep the heavy burden of taxes on the people or would he reduce them? The elders suggested lowering the taxes. The young friends of the king encouraged him to raise the taxes even more. The king did just that. It resulted in a passive civil war. The kingdom split. Israel and Judah became two separate nations. They never got back together again.

 

Rehoboam’s spirit lingers on today. In homes and in congregations, the advice of seasoned Christians is ignored. And, much too often, like with Rehoboam’s nation, trouble, division and heart ache follows.

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, the counsel of the elders would have been the men who helped advise Solomon. They got the nation to a good place. Experience, understanding the times, seeing potential troubles, anticipating consequences, knowing how to work with people, patience are all in the files of these elder counselors. Been there and done that is something that they could say. Seen that before, is yet another aspect of their wisdom and understanding.

 

Could this be one reason why the leadership in God’s church is called “elders.” Not ancient. Not out of touch. But, full of wisdom, experience and understanding.

 

It is the tragedy of youth to reject what older Christians say merely because they are “old.” And, because of that, just like Rehoboam, many rush into ideas that have not been well thought out, chasing the latest fad because it seems exciting, and ending up in a mess that they cannot get themselves out of. This results in wrecked marriages, ruined congregations and a whole bunch of bitter and unhappy people.

 

Just recently, I’ve known of three or four congregations that were in search for a preacher. “How do you find a good one?” I was asked. I walked through the steps with them. I’ve done this a few times and understand how valuable these steps are. I gave them some suggestions. I shared that if you stick with this, it will become a win-win situation for everyone. Did they follow my advice? Absolutely not. Some of those congregations are headed for a major disaster. I see it coming.

 

Pride has a lot to do with listening to others. We think we know. We don’t want to ask for advice. And, that pride will lead us straight into the arms of trouble. Among shepherds in the church, we don’t ask for the advice of other shepherds outside of our congregation for fear of violating some aspect of autonomy. So, we are left to our own thinking and choices. Wisdom is there, if we would seek it.

 

Second, the young friends of Rehoboam, likely loved the position and power they got from being around the king. They may even had some personal agenda and profit in mind when they suggested raising the taxes even more. Selfish, prideful and not thinking about the wellbeing of others, decisions are made that hurt the nation. The same can be said of the home. The same can be said of the church. Full of ideas, ambition and running faster than they were thinking decisions are made that cannot be unmade. Job promotions, moving, switching jobs, switching schools, switching majors, proposing marriage to someone, all of these ought to be considered after seasoned and spiritual eyes look them over. I’ve had a young man tell me about exciting job opportunities that he was pursuing. It meant moving the family across the country. Lots of money and opportunity was the talk. When I asked about a church there, a blank stare came across his face. Hadn’t thought about that, was the reply. Don’t you think that is important, I said. Choices made without the advice of someone older and someone spiritual.

 

Third, we elders need not be telling younger people, “I told you so,” when they come to us and expect us to clean up a mess they made by rushing into something without thinking it through. Be kind. Be helpful. Lessons are being learned. And, the next time, they may come to you for insights and instruction, because you have helped them. It’s hard seeing others heading to a waterfall after you warned them and told them to turn around. Stubborn, they believed they knew better. And, now they are about to go over and crash. Be there to help pick up the pieces. Be there in patience and kindness.

 

Advice. Wisdom. Experience. Help. Don’t ignore those things. Be careful who you ask. Be careful what you listen to. Don’t make the Rehoboam blunder!

 

Roger

 

14

Jump Start # 4076

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4076

 

Psalm 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

My Name is Amy

My name is Amy.

In a few months I will be nine.

All of my friends will come to my house for a party.

I have many friends.

My name is Amy.

I am in the third grade.

I like to bring papers home to show my mother.

I like going to school.

My name is Amy.

After school, I enjoy riding my bike.

Someday I am going to get a puppy.

I will take very good care of my puppy.

My name is Amy.

I like to sing songs.

Sometimes when I am sad, I sing, “Jesus loves me.”

That song always makes me feel better.

My name is Amy.

When I grow up I want to be just like my mother.

She is very pretty.

I love my mother.

My name is Amy.

I would be going on nine,

But my mother had an abortion.

And, I do not know why.

My name is Amy.

 

Roger

March, 1993