23

Jump Start # 4163

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

Jump Start # 4163

 

James 3:10 “from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”

 

The famous Charles Spurgeon had a sermon titled, “How Saints Help the Devil.” And, that old sermon is being practiced every day by saints today who don’t know which side that they are on. In this James passage, blessings and cursing ought to come from two different sources and two different mouths. Yet, James knew that wasn’t the case. The same mouth that could bless God, could also curse God’s people. This wasn’t right. “These things ought not to be this way,” as the text tells us.

 

And, yet, we know and have seen and often have even been guilty of these very things. While sitting in worship we can sing, “Bless be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love,” or, “Love one another,” and that very afternoon we can be gossiping about the brethren we just worshipped with and sang about. These things ought not to be this way.

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, the devil doesn’t need any help from us. He is the enemy. His mission is to conquer and destroy us. He is powerful and has all the tools of today’s advance technology at his disposal.

 

Second, we need to understand what comes with God. Love God but don’t like God’s people doesn’t work. To love God is to love His people. To love God is to love His word. To love God is to love God’s way. One cannot separate the Lord from His word. Like Jesus, just don’t like the Bible won’t fly with God. It’s a package deal. You are either all in or you are not in at all. One cannot pick things off, like onions on a pizza. The religious community has forgotten this lesson light years ago. They will dance and play and eat in the name of Jesus, run the church like a corporation and ignore just about everything God says, yet loudly proclaim that they love Jesus. They will even claim to love the Lord more than we do.

 

One cannot be wrong with God’s people or God’s word and right with God. We must be right horizontally if we want to be right vertically.

 

Third, often, some of the best agents for the devil are God’s people. Disgruntled, discouraged, complaining members can do more harm to a congregation than a month of false teachers. They can take the air out of momentum, put a stop to the good that is being done, and lead others to join them in the parade of discontent. As harsh as it may sound, every church building I have been in had a door. Big churches. Little churches. Country churches. City churches. Every building had a door. If someone can’t be happy with the Lord’s way, then find the door and leave. But, they don’t. They stay and make others miserable. They gripe and fuss and are bitter and become a real pain to those who want to walk with the Lord. And, without every realizing it, these folks are helping the devil.  These things ought not to be this way.

 

We must realize that our walk with the Lord is a journey. And, just like driving down the highway, there is always someone ahead of us. They are more mature and have more knowledge than we do. We need to stay close to them. We need to learn from them. But, at the same time, there is someone beside me. We encourage one another. And, when I look to the back, there is always someone behind me. They are learning. They are growing. They are looking at you, as an example. And, such is our journey with the Lord. Some are ahead of us. Some are beside us. Some are behind us. We learn from others. We become the example for others. We help each other.

 

We need to kick Satan to the curb and run him out of our church. He’s not welcome there. And, the best way we do that is by becoming like Jesus. Our attitudes, our hearts, our desires, our ambitions, become wrapped around and defined by the Lord. When Satan can’t find a spot in our hearts and in our homes, he’ll have a tough time finding a place in our congregations.

 

Some things ought not to be. Saints helping the devil is high on that list. Saints helping the devil is a sign of a traitor. Don’t help the enemy.

 

Roger

 

22

Jump Start # 4162

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4162

 

Luke 18:40 “And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he had come near, He questioned Him.”

 

Some of the most profound lessons we learn from the Gospels are not the big moments such as calming storms, driving demons into pigs and walking on water, but little expressions that carry so much compassion and weight.

 

In the context of our verse today, Jesus is heading to Jerusalem. He has an appointment with the cross. As He makes His way to the city, He is not so focused that He fails to see opportunities to help all around Him. In the next chapter, nineteen, Jesus invites Himself to the home of a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus. But, here, as He is passing through Jericho, a blind man begs for Jesus to have mercy on him. The disciples were telling this blind man to hush and be quiet. But, Jesus stopped. He ordered the man to be brought to Him and his sight was restored.

 

We’ve read that story dozens of times. But, have you noticed the tiny expression, “And Jesus stopped”? On the other side of Jericho, where Zacchaeus is up in a tree, Jesus stopped and had a conversation with him. On the way to Jairus’ home, to save his dying daughter, a woman with an issue of blood touches Jesus and He stops and has a conversation with her.

 

And, Jesus stopped.

 

I wonder how many would want to have a conversation but I’m too much in a hurry to notice. I don’t stop. I wonder if someone is struggling with a heavy burden and I could help them carry that load, but I failed to stop. I wonder if I am so focused on me that I never stop. Could it be that I don’t notice the lilies of the field, or the birds of the air because I don’t stop.

 

And, Jesus stopped.

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, stop for one another. Would our fellowship be more meaningful and impactful if we stopped more and took the time to really get to know one another. Every one of us has a story. We all have a past. We all carry scars and baggage. Simon and Garfunkel had a song a long time ago that went, “Slow down, you move to fast…” Conversations and friendships take time to build and develop. Stop and get to know your church family. Stop for the young people and let them know that they have a friend in you. Stop for the elderly and let them know that they are loved and not forgotten. Stop for the young families who are trying so hard. Stop for your shepherds and let them know that you appreciate the roles that they fill. Jesus stopped.

 

Second, stop for the Lord. We are on the move so much that our Bible readings can be just a blur and by midday we’ve forgotten what we read. One of the most asked questions about these Jump Starts are “How do you see all these things in the Scriptures?” Your Bible reads the same as mine. Stop and look at the words. Look at the order of the words. Jesus stopped—I saw that. I wondered if He ever stopped before this. I started seeing a pattern. Jesus took time for others. He was always stopping.

 

In your prayers, stop for the Lord. Don’t just throw names to Heaven. Pray about people, their situations and what they are going through. Be thankful to the Lord. Notice clouds. Look at stars. These are reflections of our Lord. All around us are reminders of our Lord. Stop for Jesus.

 

Third, stop for yourself. Our times is full speed. From the moment we are up until we collapse in bed at night, it’s 100 MPH for many of us. So much to do. So many errands. So many things we need to do to the house. Our schedules are packed. And, it doesn’t take much of that to make us a tired and weary people. Stress levels are high. The majority of prescriptions filled these days are for anxiety medication.  Is there a connection? Maybe instead of pills, we need to turn off the electronics, go sit on the back porch and just listen to the wind and the birds for a while. It’s ok if your house doesn’t look like the cover of a magazine. It’s ok if not all the toys got picked up at the end of the night. Stop and be thankful you have a house. Stop and be thankful that you have a family. One day you will have no more days here. Will it matter that your garage was organized, the yard fertilized and the oil in the car was changed on a regular basis? What will matter will be you and Jesus.

 

He stops for you. Will you stop for Him?

 

And Jesus stopped.

 

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 4161

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4161

 

John 12:3 “Mary therefore took a pound of very costly, genuine spikenard-ointment, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.”

 

Our verse today shows the beautiful gift that Mary gave to Jesus. This wasn’t the everyday splash some cologne on before one heads out the door. A few verses later Judas openly rebukes her for not selling this for three hundred denarii and giving it to the poor. Three hundred denarii would be a year’s income. This stuff was saved for one of two reasons, a wedding or a funeral. This is something that would have been saved and kept high up on a shelf. Mary knew how important this was to share with the Lord. Her gift, expensive as it was, was enjoyed by all because it filled the room with that fragrance.

 

Once again, we find Mary at the  feet of Jesus. In Luke 10:39, she sat at Jesus’ feet to learn. In John 11:32, she is at the feet of Jesus in her grief. And, now, in John 12:3, Mary is at the feet of Jesus in giving her best.

 

There are some lessons we ought to see from this:

 

First, at the feet of Jesus shows our place in humility. Many would like to stand, toe to toe with Jesus. Many would like to have a word with Jesus. Many would like to tell the Lord what He ought to be doing. Mary bows at the feet of Jesus. She sees Him as the Lord. She understands who He is.

 

Those that want to boldly tear into the word of God and change God’s way of doing things would do well to fall to the feet of Jesus. At the feet of Jesus shows the respect for His position and authority.

 

Second, at the feet of Jesus shows the faith that we have in the Lord. Mary believed. Even in the grief over the death of Lazarus, when she had questions, she falls to the feet of Jesus. Only Jesus can help. Only Jesus knows.

 

Third, at the feet of Jesus shows the honor that the Lord deserves. He is our friend. He is our brother in faith, but He is so much more than that. He’s not a good ole’ boy, like some would want to make Him. He’s not one to wink at wrong, do questionable things and always good for a laugh. Slap Him on the back, kick off your shoes and have a good ole’ time is how many want to paint the picture of Jesus. Not Mary. She fell at His feet. She bought the most expensive gift she had and she gave it to the Lord. She gave something that she had been saving for a long time.

 

Our honor to the Lord comes from worshipping Him through our hearts and minds. Our honor to Him comes from realizing who He is and what He has done. Respectful hearts. Opinions that are silenced. Trusting His ways. Following His steps. Bringing our best to Him.

 

Rushing through worship so we can get back to doing what we want to do is not falling at His feet. Offering a worship from bored and tried hearts is not falling at His feet. Bringing our best, like Mary, comes from hearts that believe.

 

This becomes a culture that starts in our hearts, expands to our homes and becomes the norm in our congregations. Sloppy dress. Sloppy worship. Sloppy preaching. Sloppy singing. Those things quickly become the way out and are no longer accepted nor tolerated. We need to give the Lord our best.

 

So, we work at it. We practice. We pray about it. We arrive early. We double and triple check the details. The sound booth guys are putting new batteries in the mics before worship begins. The deacons are making sure there are no burned out lights and that the air and heat are in proper working order. The Lord’s Supper is ready.  Moms make the little ones go to the bathroom before services begin. All the little things are done and done with excellence, because we want to bring our best to the Lord.

 

A culture of excellence. Mary brought her best.

 

Roger

 

18

Jump Start # 4160

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

Jump Start # 4160

 

1 Samuel 26:21 “ Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.”

 

There is an interesting contrast in our Bibles. There are two Sauls. One is in the Old Testament and the other in the New Testament. One was the first chosen king of Israel and the other the last chosen apostle. One stood head and shoulders above everyone physically, the other stood head and shoulders above everyone spiritually. And, both men, at the end of their lives, declared “I have.”

 

The Old Testament Saul said, “I have played the fool.” The New Testament Saul said, “I have kept the faith.” One had his crown removed and the other received a heavenly crown.

 

Lets give some thought to these final Saul words:

 

I have played the fool, spoken by King Saul of the Old Testament. One plays the fool when he doesn’t fully obey the Lord and hides behind excuses to justify his wrong doing. One plays the fool when he allows jealousy to lead him to doing evil towards others. One plays the fool when he tries to bypass what God says and seeks his own path and his own answers.

 

King Saul didn’t die in honor of the Lord.

 

I have kept the faith, spoken by the apostle Paul in the New Testament. Understand that this Saul’s name was not changed from Saul to Paul. I hear that often. His Hebrew or Jewish name was Saul. His Roman name was Paul. He kept the faith. He kept the faith when others didn’t. He kept the faith when it was hard and difficult. He kept the faith when he was beaten. He kept the faith when he was alone. He kept the faith when the Lord answered his prayers “No.”

 

What a difference in these two lives. For King Saul to live was self. For the apostle Paul to live was Christ. King Saul tried to kill others. The apostle Paul tried to save others. King Saul had his own ambition and agenda. The apostle Paul made obeying Christ his ambition and agenda. Saul of the Old Testament was troubled. Saul of the New Testament found peace and love. Saul of the Old Testament was focused on David. Saul of the New Testament was focused upon Christ. Saul of the Old Testament broke any command of God to achieve what he wanted. Saul of the New Testament sacrificed himself to keep the command of God. Saul of the Old Testament discarded his faith. Saul of the New Testament kept his faith. Saul of the Old Testament went from good to bad. Saul of the New Testament went from bad to good.

 

Same name but two different paths and two different destinations. Sure is something to think about…

 

Roger

 

17

Jump Start # 4159

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

Jump Start # 4159

 

Psalm 142:4 “Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul.”

 

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

No one cared for my soul

 

The 142nd Psalm contains “a prayer of David when he was in the cave.” David, while hiding from King Saul, thought he had been deserted by all his friends. In one of the saddest verses in the Bible, David said, “Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul” (Psa. 142:4). David felt isolated, alone and overcome with problems.

 

Is it possible that you have a friend or neighbor who, like David, feels that no one cares for their soul? One of Paul’s greatest desires was for the salvation of his nation (Rom. 10:1-3). The obligation he felt to preach made him cry out, “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16). It is amazing that we can look after the mail, the pets and the yard of our neighbor, but show so little care for their soul. What can we do?

 

First, show compassion. Talk gently with them. Give them time out of your schedule. Allow them to talk and even pour out their worries. Guide them and comfort them with passages of Scripture. Let them know that God cares about them—no matter what. Invite them over for a meal. Invite them to come to services with you. Your friends need to know that you care before they will interested in what you believe.  Do they know that you care for their soul?

 

Do your children know you care for their soul? It will show by your consistent instruction from God’s word. Prayers at meals will be normal. Discussions that include God’s word and his kingdom will be an everyday part of life at home. Right and wrong will be clearly established. The reason is, you care for their souls. As they get older, you want to know more about their friends and who influences your children. Children need to know that their parents care for their soul.

 

Do your brethren know you care for their soul? “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8). Love for the brethren is expressed by action. Even in large congregations, surrounded by dozens of people, it is possible for some to feel alone. Do you go out of your way to try to greet as many brethren as possible? Are you interested in what is happening to others? Do they receive a card from you? Do they ever get a phone call from you? Are you an encourager or a constant complainer? One of the major reasons brethren leave a congregation is because of the way that they are treated. The church is a family, but in far too many places that family is dysfunctional. Telling someone that I’m praying for you is powerful words. Unexpected gifts of kindness speaks volumes to the heart. Young people need more than sermons, they need to know that others care for their soul. Discouragement will disappear if everyone sensed that others care for my soul.

 

Matthew records this about Jesus: And seeing the multitudes, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd (9:36).

 

Roger

April, 2006