21

Jump Start # 331

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 331

2 Corinthians 12:7 “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself.”

  It is easy to see from this passage that God hates pride. Twice in this verse Paul says, “to keep me from exalting myself.” God didn’t want that to happen. Paul describes a man, most likely himself, who was taken to “the third Heaven” (v. 2), “Paradise” (v. 4). Paul doesn’t know if this was a divine vision or if he actually went. He doesn’t know. He heard things which he was not allowed to repeat. Because of all of this he was given a thorn in the flesh, to keep him from exalting himself.

  There are many things here. First, the third Heaven. The Jews believed in three heavens. The first heaven is what we would call the sky. The second heaven would be the solar system, where the stars and planets are. The third Heaven, where Paul went, was the home of God. Paul wants them to understand that he wasn’t in the sky, he wasn’t in outer space, rather, he went to Heaven. He doesn’t understand how he got there. It is beyond us to guess.

  While there, Paul heard “inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to repeat.” Paul doesn’t tell us. He doesn’t reveal what it looked like, nor how he felt. John in the book of Revelation, is shown an open door in Heaven and he tells us what he saw. There are far too many books on the market today about people who have died and came back and they detail the songs that were being sung in Heaven and they tell of seeing departed family members, seeing angels and just a list of things as if they were describing for us a vacation they took. It’s amazing that an inspired apostle was not allowed to tell what he heard or saw but anyone else can, and on top of that, they can profit from it by selling books. Does that seem a bit odd to you? It sure does to me.

  Anyone who experienced what Paul did would tend to think just a bit too much of themselves. It would be easy to think that God favors that person more than others. Peter never went to the third Heaven. John didn’t. Andrew didn’t. Only Paul. He must have been the best apostle. He must have been God’s favorite. Folks need to listen to him, because of where he has been. Those kind of thoughts will get a person in trouble and it messes things up. It’s hard to remain humble when you are bragging about yourself. So God took care of that. He allowed a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to be given to Paul. Now what was that? Ideas abound. Some say poor eyesight. Others, some form of crippling disease. Some list different temptations. Paul doesn’t tell us. Guessing is only guessing. The end of this section talks about insults, persecutions, and difficulties. Those may have been the thorns. It was so troublesome that Paul prayed three times that God would remove it. He didn’t. He wanted it there.

   God will sometimes answer our prayers NO. No, is an answer. Paul prayed three times. God said no. Now if you and I did that, we’d start to think that something was wrong with our faith or that God was mad at us or that we had a bad connection in our prayer somehow. Paul didn’t. He understood. God’s grace was all that he needed.

  Sometimes those thorns in our lives hurt and are painful. We want them out and gone. They remain. We pray and they remain. We get weary, discouraged and feel that things are just not right. Those thorns may be there to keep us from going to a place that God does not want. Like Paul, they may be there to keep us from exalting ourselves. They may keep us humble and dependant upon the Lord.

  Our Lord had thorns. They were fashioned like a crown and placed upon His head. A reed was used to beat them further into His scalp. Blood would have poured from those head wounds. It would have been painful. It would have been an ugly mess.

  Thorns…Paul had them. Jesus had them. Do you? Maybe they are there for a reason. Maybe there are there to teach you. Maybe they are there to keep you from going to a place you do not need to be—mentally or spiritually.

  Paul didn’t quit because of thorns. Neither should we. Pray about them. See if you can learn some lessons from them and then keep on doing what God wants. That’s the key!

Roger

20

Jump Start # 330

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 330

1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you”

  God cares! He cares because He loves us. The children sing, “Jesus loves me this I know…” Sometimes, as adults, we don’t know that, or else, we’ve forgotten that. The innocent world of a child is filled with playing, snacks and naps. It’s when those children grow up that they are exposed to the harshness of job layoffs, cancer, mounting debt, storms in the night. These realities put fear in our hearts and doubt in our minds. We know God is there but He’s hard to see in the darkness of a storm.

  Peter reminds us. He not only tells us that God cares but that we should cast all of our anxiety upon Him. The word “casting” means to throw off. It is the idea of someone burdened down with a heavy load. He’s about to fall because of the weight he is carrying. Finally, he throws off the weight. He can stand again. He can continue on his journey. This is what the apostle tells us to do. Throw off those heavy weights.

  Peter gives us more. Counselors will tell us not to deal with too many things at once. They will instruct on how to not think about some problems. Peter’s words are different. We are giving our anxious moments to God. It’s more than just casting them off, it is transferring them to God. God who is in charge of all things. God who can do things when no one else can. God who is greater than all. Give your problems to God. He can do things. Your mother can’t. The government won’t. Churches will let you down. Your friends have their own problems. Give them to God. He can handle it.

  How do you give them to God? Prayer. “Take it to the Lord in prayer,” is a hymn that illustrates this very idea. Pray to God about what burdens you. God can open doors. God can make opportunities. Giving it to God is the best thing we can do.

  Peter further adds, the reason to do this is because He cares. God cares. How refreshing is that! It seems that nobody cares. God does. God doesn’t want His children burdened. God doesn’t want you to journey through life with a heart filled with worry. God knows that fear, worry and doubt choke out His word. Those things stunt our spiritual growth. They keep us from becoming what God wants.

  The solution is not, “don’t let things get to you.” No. Instead, give all your anxiety to God. All of it. The big stuff. The little things. The personal things. The family things. The things beyond our control, such as weather. The things that affect us physically, such as health and jobs. The spiritual things such as faith, temptation and trials.

  Jesus told the disciples, “…at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Lk 18:1). Losing heart is to lose the battle. It is to become discouraged and overwhelmed. Sometimes a person just feels like quitting—it may be the church, it may be a job, it may be a marriage, it may be life. Tired. Worn out. Losing ground. Things not getting any better. Do these sound familiar to you. We’ve been there. We’ve tried to do it on our own. We’ve tried to not burden God with our problems. We’ve tried to find solutions. But after a while, we realize things are not getting any better. We’re in over our heads. The storms do not seem to stop. It is then that we realize that we should have listened to Peter. He was right. Take it to the Lord in prayer is more than a hymn, it’s what works.

  Take a moment today and do some casting. Box up those thoughts, fears, worries and troubles and ship them to God. Don’t put a return label on them. You don’t want them back. You are not showing them to God, you are giving them to God. Your problems take on new ownership. They are now His. He will deal with them as He wills.

  You ought to feel better when you do this. Sleep should be more sound. Your color ought to come back to your face. Now, quit worrying about how God is going to work through those things. You gave it Him. Don’t be an “Indian giver” and expect God to turn them back to you.

  This is hard to do. We fight doing this. We feel like a failure in doing this. We think that we should have been able to deal with these things. The biggest burdens are the spiritual ones. Those are complex and layered with issues. God is greater than the problem. Give it to Him. In Texas, it’s dry and wild fires burn out of control. In the Midwest, it’s stormy with tornadoes. Different problems. Different needs. Same God. He needs us to journey on in faith. It begins by being able to transfer things to Him.

Roger

19

Jump Start # 329

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 329

John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

  Our passage today comes from a long section in John in which Jesus is giving His final lessons to the disciples before He enters Jerusalem. Jesus reminds his disciples that they are part of something special and unique and the world does not grasp nor appreciate what they are doing. Jesus tells them in vs. 18, “If the world hates you…”. Again, in verse 19, “…but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” Our verse extends this hatred to violence, “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you.”

  There are a couple of thoughts I want to share from our verse today. First, ‘a slave is not above his master.’ Jesus had stated this in the other gospels as, “a disciple is not above his teacher.” This has to do with place, our place and His place. Looking at this in the literal sense, a slave was not greater than the master. The master owned the house and the farm. The slave did not. The slave worked for the master, not the other way around. The master set the terms of what the slave would do. A parallel for us today is the employee and the employer. The employer sets the guidelines of our jobs, the pay scale, the benefits and what we do. The employee, although necessary, is not greater than the employer.

  Having said this, we understand that no one is greater than Jesus. That includes the apostles. There is not a better example than Jesus. No one is as good as Jesus. No one loves as much as Jesus did. No one sacrificed as completely as Jesus did. The slave is not greater than the master. The slave will never be greater than the master. It bothers me some to find so many authors today having to tell their own story. I collect books on the parable of the prodigal son. I love that story from Luke 15. Most contemporary books on that story must include some sordid example of how the author was a prodigal. Don’t try to out do God’s story. You never will. The slave is not greater than the Master. God’s words are the best. God’s ways are the best. Let’s stay with God’s text.

  The second lesson here is that the world, meaning those that don’t follow Christ, hate us. That’s bold but honest. That bothers us. We often try to soften the differences. We try to make Christianity more appealing, more pleasant, more kind and more agreeable to a world that hates Jesus. It won’t work. Don’t compromise the message to try to get people who don’t want it to want it. The problem is not the message, the demands or the Christ, the problem is the world. They love darkness, as John 3 tells us. They do not want to change. They reject because they do not want to become.

  So we are set in a world of conflict. Paul told Timothy, “fight the good fight of faith.” There are ways to do this and then there are ways not to do this. Paul was set for the defense of the gospel (Phil 1). Stand up, stand up is a song we sing. Another says, “Dare to stand like Joshua.” Every generation must do this. From the college student who is ridiculed for believing in creation, to the co-worker who will not engage in crude jokes, to person who refrains from bending the rules just to do what he wants. He won’t do that. He is a disciple of Jesus. Some will not understand. Some will talk about him. Some may even test him to try to trip Him up. But he understands, they did that to Jesus and the slave is not greater than the master.

  That principle helps us to know what we should do. When threatened, Jesus did not utter threats back. When ridiculed, He did not return insults. Not Jesus. The slave is not greater than the Master. We must follow Jesus in how to act toward a world that does not want us.

We remind them. We show them that it can be done. We are light in a dark, dark place. Onward we must go. Some days may be easier than others. Some days we may dread walking into that classroom, or work room or even gathering at the family reunion. We know the whispers will start. The little insults…the little digs…the looks…but the slave is not greater than the Master. Remember Jesus. That is the key.

Roger

18

Jump Start # 328

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start #328 

Proverbs 30:11 “There is a kind of man who curses his father, and does not bless his mother.”

  Proverbs 30 was written by Agur. He likes lists, because this chapter contains many.

  • V. 7 two things I have asked of Thee
  • V. 15 four things that will not say, ‘enough’
  • V. 18 four things which I do not understand
  • V. 21 four things the earth cannot bear up
  • V. 24 four things that are small but wise
  • V. 29 four things that are stately in their march

  Our verse, although not using any numbers, is another form of these lists. It is a list of “the kind of man” and his wicked deeds. Our verse starts this list by describing the man who is mean toward his parents.

  • V. 12 there is a kind of man who is pure in his own eyes, yet not washed from his filthiness
  • V. 13 there is a kind of man who is arrogant and proud
  • V. 14 there is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords

  The list of these “kind of people” are not good. We’d hate for our children to become one of these. God does not favor any of these wicked actions and attitudes.

  Our passage reminds us that there are people like that. They are not nice. They are not humble. They are abusive and take advantage of others. They are that ‘kind of person.” It is difficult when that kind of person is in your family. Every day is hard. There seems no escaping the abuse. It’s hard working with such people. After a while, many don’t and they search for another job. This spirit in neighbors makes for tense and unfriendly times.

  Why are some like that? Many would suggest that they are born that way. That’s just the way they came. I doubt that. Scripture wouldn’t support that theory. Many grew up in an environment like that and learned it first hand. On top of that, they had no positive and godly influence, especially from the Bible, in their lives. All they have known is selfishness, arrogance and meanness. It’s like taking a little puppy, and every day poking sticks at it. After a while, that dog becomes mean. People are like that. Hollywood isn’t going to illustrate the way of God. It’s not up to the school systems to do  that. This is the place of moms and dads. But if mom and dad are already like this, another generation is going to do the same, and probably worse.

  Another thought to remember is that a person can change. They don’t have to be like this. Coming under the influence of Jesus, they can learn to be humble, compassionate, godly and positive. Jesus said to “come unto Me…Learn from Me.” The cycle of dysfunction can be stopped. You don’t have to be a product of your environment. You can rise up and be better than your upbringing. You can offer your children what you never had.

  What can be done about “those kind of people?” They need Jesus, as we all do. They need to see that they don’t have to be negative, bitter and talking about others all the time. There is good to be seen and done. There is much to be thankful for. It begins by our choice of words around them. Rise up and praise God. Inject God into your conversation.  Say things such as, “isn’t this a pretty day God has given us.” Bow your head and say a silent prayer before you eat. You are not sticking religion in their face, you are showing that there is a better way, God’s way.

  Above all, you must be careful that you do not become such a person yourself. It is easy to do that. It is easy to talk trash, to be mean, to throw mud. Others do it, so why don’t you? Because you want better. Because God expects more out of you.

Now the opposites to the Proverb list. 

There is a kind of man—who praises his parents…

There is a kind of man—who strives to be righteous, inside and out

There is a kind of man—who is humble

There is a kind of man– whose words comfort, encourage and strengthen.

There is a kind of man…what kind are you?

Roger

08

Jump Start # 322

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 322

Psalm 124:1-2 “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now say, “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us.”

  This Psalm, written by David, reflects the salvation that Israel received from it’s enemies. So often, throughout Bible history, the people of God would go off to battle, facing mighty nations and fierce armies, yet they came home victorious. The battle belongs to the Lord was a theme understood during those early days.

  David recognizes that it was God who had delivered them and kept them alive. “Had it not been for the Lord…” David is giving God credit. Although David led the armies, and his troops did the fighting, the credit belonged to God.

  Somehow we’ve forgotten that it seems these days. We are not fighting physical battles as David did, but there are plenty of spiritual victories these days. A person goes through a series of Bible studies and decides to be baptized into Christ—”had it not been for the Lord…” The glory, credit belongs with God.

  A church decides to get serious about the Lord. Preaching returns to the way it ought to be. Friends are invited. Things start happening. The church grows and connects with each other and the Lord. Once again, “Had it not been for the Lord…”

  Victories in our personal battles against temptation, “had it not been for the Lord.” Parents who are raising their children in the way of the Lord, “Had it not been for the Lord.”

  David understood that without the Lord, Israel was defeated. They could not withstand the enemies if God had not led them and fought for them. This is more than a passing “thank you” to the Lord, and more than just giving lip service to God, David honestly felt that they were part of God’s victory.

  Have you ever thought what would have happened to you, “had it not been for the Lord?” What kind of life would you be living right now, ‘had it not been for the Lord.’ What kind of home life would you have ‘had it not been for the Lord?’ Most likely, the spirit of kindness, grace and forgiveness would not prevail, ‘had it not been for the Lord.’ There’s a very good chance that you would be extremely self centered ‘had it not been for the Lord.’ And morals? Just see what’s on TV these days—that’s what is racing through the heart of society. Crude, offensive, off-color, ignoring rules, dominated by sexual thoughts, shallow and stuck on the present. That’s where we would be ‘had it not been for the Lord.’ It’s not a pretty picture. It’s a scary thought. It helps us to understand where most people are that we meet.

  Having the Lord in your life, is more than going to church on Sunday, it’s changing the wiring of your brain and heart. Your purpose of life changes. Your priorities change. Your spirit changes. Your home life changes. Your marriage changes. You see people differently once the Lord is in your life. Subjects such as death, Heaven, hope and joy take on new meaning once the Lord fills your heart.

  Had it not been for the Lord, we’d be racing 90 M.P.H. for Hell and wouldn’t even know it and probably not even care. Had it not been for the Lord, we’d be a mess, on the inside and on the outside. Had it not been for the Lord many of us would be in jail, divorced multiple times or even dead. What Satan offers is a dead end street.

  Had it not been for the Lord we would not spend our time reading the Bible. Had it not been for the Lord, we would never know the great hymns of praise to God. Had it not been for the Lord, we would never see the face of God.

  How does all this make you feel? For me, I just want to say, “Thank you. Thank you, Lord.” Christians are the greatest people on the face of the earth. We are not perfect. Our journey is not complete. We struggle with things, and sometimes fuss at each other too much, but we have the Lord. The Lord in our lives has changed us, shaped us, and made us into the righteous people of God. What a great group of people. We are trying to do right. We want to go to Heaven. It’s not us, it’s God who is right. It’s not our way, but His way that we seek.

  Thankful…praising…filled with joy is what comes to our minds when we think of what the Lord has done. He has forgiven us, blessed us, equipped us, uses us, counts on us and longs for us to spend forever with Him. Amazing!

  Had it not been for the Lord…that’s a great phrase to add to your vocabulary. It reminds you. It keeps things in perspective. It honors God. Try saying it. Try using it. Try believing it.

  Had it not been for the Lord…

Roger