09

Jump Start # 430

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 430 

Proverbs 15:15 “All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

  Our verse today shows one of the many contrasts that are found in Proverbs. There are actually two contrasts here. First, the afflicted vs. the cheerful heart. Secondly, a contrast is found in the outcome: bad vs. continual feast.

  The afflicted. His days are not good. All his days are bad. We are not given specifics. Afflicted internally with problems of health, mind and soul or afflicted externally by being oppressed by others. Either way, it’s hard to get out of bed when you are afflicted. When a person doesn’t feel well, they don’t feel well anywhere. A change of location doesn’t change the condition of their health.

  The cheerful heart is just the opposite of the afflicted. Things are going well for the cheerful. Cheerfulness is a choice. Some folks can be free from afflictions, but they still remain sour and miserable. I guess that’s just the way they want to live. Cheerfulness is expressed in singing happy songs. Folks don’t whistle much anymore, maybe because they are not so cheerful, but I’ve known a few whistlers. Use I was one, just can’t seem to do it. It’s more than puckering the lips and blowing. Not many people whistle when they are afflicted. Whistling is a sign of cheerfulness. Singing is the same way. The cheerful are upbeat, ready to get at things, positive. It is in this way that their life is a continual feast. The image of feasting is more than food, it’s the company, it’s the festive atmosphere, it’s friends and family, it’s fun. It’s that spirit that comes with cheerfulness.

  It seems that this contrast is based not upon circumstances but the choices and the responses to those circumstances. A person can’t help that they are going through hard times. Bills stack up, things need to be fixed and there just isn’t any money. Not typically a whistling moment in life.

  James mentions a very similar contrast. He writes, “Is  anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” There is the contrast. Suffering and cheerfulness. But as James shows us, either way, a person remains connected to God. When he is afflicted or suffering, turn to God and pray. When he is cheerful, thank the Lord and sing praises to God.

  We’d like everyday to be cheerful. They can’t be. Neither should our lives be defined by sadness and affliction. The emotions of a human, or our moods, are affected by many things. How we feel affects them. The weather affects our moods. How we are treated affects our moods. But it seems that we need to have some control in all of this. Those that don’t seem to be “moody.” If you catch them at the wrong time, in the wrong mood, look out. It’s hard to know. This makes people walk on egg shells. Things happen to us and we can’t control some of those things. A friend of mine who has since passed away, wrote in one of her many books, “Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.” I think she caught the thoughts of this Proverb. Cheerfulness is a state of the mind. We can do much to improve it by what we do. Our connection to God has a lot to do with that. What we watch and listen to has a lot to do with that. Even the people we hang around with have an impact upon us. Give me positive people who are full of energy and excitement. Bright colors, sunshine, good thoughts, God, good people these all fill our lives and can be resources for cheerfulness.

  Misery is optional—I think I’ll pass on that option. How about you? Make the most of this day by making the best choices and putting your life into the hands of God.

Roger

08

Jump Start #429

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

Jump  Start # 429 

Acts 14:19-20 “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.” 

  It seems that where ever the gospel was preached, opposition to the message followed. This is true in the life of Jesus and this is true in the lives of the apostles. Our verse takes place during Paul’s first preaching trip, often called missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas were in the city of Lystra. The locals were calling Paul and Barnabas “gods.” The pagan priests were ready to sacrifice oxen to them. They stopped that. It seems that they were well received.

  Then our verses…Jews came, stirred the crowds up and the spirit changed. Instead of seeing them as gods, they were hated. The mob mentality took over and they nearly killed Paul. Some think that Paul actually died and this is when he went to the “third Heaven” in 2 Corinthians 12. Maybe, maybe not.

  There is a great statement for us in these verses. Paul was dragged out of the city. The persecutors thought they had killed him. Paul came to, got up and RETURNED TO THE CITY. He went right back to where he was stoned and hated.

  Those that were involved certainly were shocked to see Paul alive. They had to be impressed with his nerve and courage. That’s what catches our attention. It’s one thing to get up, dust yourself off, and travel to better places to preach. But he returned to the city. Amazing.

  We do well to think about this. It is much easier to leave opposition and head to safer places. Paul returned. Instead of returning to the city many leave.

  They leave a marriage because there are too many problems. Why not return and try to fix things, beginning with being the person you ought to be.

  They leave a congregation because someone said something harsh to them. Why not return to the congregation and continue on with the good you were doing?

  They leave a job because others talk about them. Why not return to the job and make the most of it?

  They leave preaching because some disagree with them. Why not return to the pulpit and continue preaching Christ?

  Paul would leave Lystra, but not before he returned there after being dragged out.

I wonder if we leave too soon and give up on places because of opposition. Interesting thought. Makes you look in your life and some of the decisions you’ve made. It’s hard to return, but sometimes it’s the best thing to do.

Roger

07

Jump Start # 428

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 428

Acts 27:44 “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” (KJV)

  Our verse today is taken from Paul’s journey to Rome. He was a prisoner, arrested for preaching Jesus Christ. Being a Roman kept him from being scourged in Jerusalem and it allowed him the right to appeal to Caesar himself. After a period of time, Paul is put on a ship with other prisoners and off to Rome he goes. On the way there, the ship encounters a severe storm and is capsized. Some of the soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so they wouldn’t escape, but that was prevented. Those that could swim jumped overboard, the rest, according to our verse hung on to some floating debris and made it safely to land. What a terrifying experience this must have been.

  The trip to Rome allowed Paul to do some preaching there, even if only to guards.

  I want to look at an expression used here in the King James Version. It doesn’t have much to do with the story, but it allows us to remind ourselves of a valuable lesson. The expression is, “It came to pass.” Other versions, such as the NASV, express this as, “and so it happened.”

  It came to pass—that is used more than 400x in the King James Version. Those translators loved that phrase. I have learned to love it because it expresses a powerful message.

TROUBLES come to pass—they don’t stay. Have you noticed that? Things that bothered you five years ago generally are gone and today you face new troubles.

WORRIES come to pass—they don’t stay. It seems like they do, but they really don’t. Most couldn’t remember what they worried about five years ago. Worries change.

TEMPTATIONS come to pass—they don’t stay. They come and go and change as we change. Satan throws one thing at us and then another. Rarely do they stay the same after much time.

  What is interesting about this expression, “it came to pass,” is that it reminds us that there is an end to what we are going through. The problems, trials, and temptations will end. Bad days will end. Unpleasant situations, such as medical tests, sitting in the principal’s office, being pulled over by the police, being taken to the wood shed by your boss, they end. They don’t last, especially forever.

  The wonderful thing about “it came to pass” is that the things that weigh us down do not cross over into the next world. In Heaven there will not be troubles, worries or temptations. Those are the things of this life. They will come to pass…they will end.

  I’ve said this expression to myself on many unpleasant occasions, just thinking to myself that someday, this will all be gone. This too shall pass.

  Heaven will not be an extension of our world up there. It’s not an amusement park. It’s not fishing all day long. It’s God’s world, and God’s home. He’s inviting us to His place. Heaven is a reflection of God. Just as we decorate our homes to reflect our tastes, God’s home, is a reflection of Him. And worries, temptations, and troubles will not find a place in God’s home.

  It came to pass…it doesn’t come to stay!

Roger

06

Jump Start # 427

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 427 

Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”

  Unity—it’s essential in marriage and it’s essential in a congregation. A person can tell when unity is missing, you can just feel it. The stares, the little digs, the tension, everyone seems to be on edge—when unity is missing it makes for a very uncomfortable situation. When unity is missing at home, the atmosphere is very icy. When it’s missing among brethren, folks avoid each other.

  This Psalm of David defines the joys of unity. He describes unity as a pleasant and refreshing experience, much like dew upon the grass in the mornings, or oil being poured upon a beard. What David doesn’t write is how to get unified and how to maintain unity. It’s not easy. Different ideas and ideology, different needs, different priorities, different backgrounds, and even different levels of knowledge and experience all affect unity.

  The Ephesians were told to be “diligent to preserve” the unity. The platform Paul gave them was the “Oneness” section: one Lord, one God, one Spirit, one Body, one Faith, one Baptism and one Hope. There’s just ONE, not two. If each person continued to walk in these things and stayed with these things, then a foundation of unity would exist.

  God told Adam and Eve that the two shall become “one” flesh. This speaks of the intimacy of marriage. It also speaks of the union of heart, mind, goals, and emotions of marriage. There is a difference between a “moment” of oneness and a lifetime of “oneness.” The difference is based upon the heart and the intentions involved.

 Throughout the N.T. expressions such as One mind, One voice, One spirit are used to describe the unity of brethren. They became “ONE.”

  Satan doesn’t like us to be one. We get things done when we are one. We turn our attention to the work we should be doing when we are one. Together, with Jesus, we are powerful. Together, with Jesus, much good can be accomplished for the kingdom. The death of unity is individualism. That’s a fancy word for “selfishness.” When that enters a marriage, things start to come apart. We think about my feelings…what I want…what about ME. When two people are talking that way, the marriage is headed for some serious troubles.

  Among brethren the same happens. When start injecting my ways, my opinions, what I want, we soon begin to pull apart, having not one mind, but several, speaking not one voice, but many.

  The key to all unity is Christ. Our Lord defined discipleship as a person, “denying themselves, taking up the cross daily and following Him.” That’s it. That works. It will work in a marriage and it will work in a church. Less of me and more of Christ. What’s best for the marriage…what’s best for the church. And what’s best is to glorify God. That’s the answer. That’s what should come first in our thinking.

  Unity is awesome. I love the hugs and the smiles—whether at home or among brethren at the church house. We have to work at unity. It has to be maintained. Sometimes we need some oil here and some tightening over there to keep the engine running smoothly. Spiritually, sometimes we need some times to rejoice in the good that we have, to count our blessings. Other times, we need some instructions or even warnings, to keep us hitting on all cylinders. The biggest factor in all of this is us. What am I doing about it? What am I doing in my marriage? What am I doing as a member of the congregation? How am I being diligent to maintain things? Do I? Or do I throw sand in the machinery by complaining and whining? Unity is taught in the pulpit but it is expressed in the pew. Do you find yourself avoiding certain people? How come? Is that right? Are you mending broken feelings? Are you helping the unity?

  This is where Paul took the lessons with the Ephesians. Unity is personal. It’s what we each do. This is why we need to remember these things. Unity comes down to: you need me and I need you and we all need Jesus! That’s just the way it is!

Roger

02

Jump Start # 426

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 426

A Note to our new readers: Jump Start was designed with the idea of helping someone get their day started at work. Jump Starts are sent out Monday-Friday, except on holidays. Monday is a holiday, so there won’t be a new Jump Start. We are continually adding more of the earlier Jump Stars on the website. So we encourage you to check some of them.

Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left Him; and behold angels came and began to minister to Him.” 

  Our verse today is often overlooked in the study of the temptations of Jesus. It is an important verse. The devil was through with Jesus. There would be another day. Luke puts it this way, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”

  We find Satan surfacing again and again in the life of Jesus. When the Lord revealed His coming death, Peter rebuked Him and had other ideas. Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan.” We find the Pharisees on many occasions trying to trick and trip Jesus. They did this with arguments, accusations and using people. Upon the cross, we see the crowd challenging Jesus to come off the cross. Satan was lurking throughout the life of Jesus, using people and situations to get Him off focus and to say or do the wrong thing.

  There are times when Satan leaves. Those are great times. Rejoice! Enjoy them! He finds ways to come back. Often it’s hard to see Satan because he is using people or situations. The people may be those close to us, as Peter was to Jesus. It may be family members or even brethren. What they say or what they suggest you do is not in accordance with what God says. They encourage wrong or they encourage you to be selfish or simply to lose your focus.

  Satan is looking for an opportune time. Anger is an open door to Satan. This is why the Ephesians were told, “do not let the sun go down upon your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Anger is an engraved invitation. When we are upset and mad, we don’t think straight and we often say things that we shouldn’t. Satan smiles. Using anger is an easy layup for Satan. So things will happen in your life that will make you angry. The way some drive can make you angry. The government messing up your taxes can make you angry. The way the kids misbehave can make you angry. Seeing your kids, even grown one’s, being mistreated gets you angry. Our blood boils when we are angry. We think of ways to get back, get even, get revenge, or get anything. And Satan smiles.

  It helps realizing these things. It helps to know that beneath the surface is Satan, lurking, scheming, pushing and trying to get through the door of your heart.

  It really helps to know that God is actively on your side. He’s there. He gives you the tools to deal with Satan. God wants you to seek Him, talk to Him and to follow Him. Resist the devil. Flee from him. Those are God’s words.

  It helps to know that when we’ve opened the door to Satan and he’s found a way to get in, that God still won’t give up on you. He wants you to throw the bum out. Satan in your heart will not make you a better person. He will not enrich your marriage. He will not give you a clear mind. He’s wicked and will destroy everything he can get his hands on. Throw him out. God is willing to forgive you, clean you up and set you back on His path. That’s just the way our God is. He loves you too much to let Satan have you. You are worth everything to Him. So much, that He sent His Son to rescue you.

  Temptations are a part of our life, like weather. We must understand temptations and learn how to deal with them properly. Our struggle with Satan ends with this life. Satan won’t be where we are going. There won’t be sin in Heaven. Temptations will cease. That thought is helpful to me. Just get through this journey and then I’m done with Satan forever. No more battles. No more sin. No more seeking the mercy of God for the wrongs done.

  We sing, “Won’t it be wonderful there…having no burdens to bear.” Yes, it is!

Roger