17

Jump Start # 456

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 456 

2 Kings 4:26-27 “When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, ‘Behold, there is the Shunammite, please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ And she answered, ‘It is well.’ When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, ‘Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 

  This Old Testament story is about Elisha, the prophet of God. In this section, he is continually called, “the man of God.” Gehazi, was his servant. The unknown Shunammite woman’s child had died. She was distressed. Elisha comes and resurrects the boy. Great story of the power of God.

  Elisha understood something very profound here—”her soul is troubled within her…and she has not told me.” That one phrase defines many people. There are many who have troubled souls within them.

  • Like this woman, they are troubled about the health of their family. Aging parents, handicapped children, mom’s with cancer—those stories are not unusual any more. The age of many getting cancer treatments would shock us—people in their 20’s and 30’s. These things trouble the soul within.

 

  • Sin and wrong troubles the soul of the righteous. Lot’s soul was tormented everyday by the behavior of the citizens of Sodom. Witnessing wrong will do that. What can be done? It’s everywhere? It’s overwhelming. Dishonesty, selfishness, greed, and a lack of respect for the God of Heaven and earth. These things trouble the soul within.

 

  • Often, what happens down at the church house can trouble our souls. What ought to be a refuge and a haven of hope is simply not there. A lack of interest, people content to be stuck on autopilot, leaders that fail to lead, clueless preachers can make a person wonder why. These things trouble the soul within.

 

  • Some are troubled by the wrong that they have done. They let their families down. They have hurt others with hateful words. They have give in to temptations and have sinned before God. Guilt, shame and fear have taken over their lives. They don’t know what to do. They don’t think God will ever forgive them.

  Our passage also reveals another interesting aspect to all of this, “she has not told me” was Elisha’s response. He knew she was troubled, but he didn’t learn that from talking with her, because she “has not told me.” Often those with troubled souls keep that to themselves. When the trouble is serious enough, it begins to show. Those closest will recognize that something’s not right. They may even ask, ‘Are you alright?’ Or, ‘you seem bothered about something.’ Often, and this is what I generally do, but I don’t recommend it, the person just keeps it to themselves. When Elisha’s servant asked the woman if all is well, she said, “It is well.”

  Why do we do that? Why do I do that? Don’t want to burden others…maybe we think, they won’t understand, maybe we feel, they have enough of their own problems…possibly we feel that they can’t do anything about it…or, mostly a bit of pride and the thought that I’ll work this out myself.

  There are some things that can not be worked out by ourselves. There are some things that we need the advice and help from others. This is why God has constructed the church the way it is—people that share a common faith, joined together in love and hope. We need to know that we don’t carry the burden alone—others are praying for us. We need to know that we don’t journey alone—there are others to walk along side of us. We need to know that people care—maybe if we don’t see it or know it, they do.

  All around us are people like this Shunammite woman. People who are troubled on the inside. They may not tell you. You may have to assure them that you are there for them. The message of the N.T., the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is good news. God cares. God doesn’t need to be reminded of who you are, He knows. He never forgets you, nor stops loving you. That’s the message that needs to be shared. Many troubles, if not all troubles, on the inside need to be given to God in prayer.

  God doesn’t want you to walk through life troubled on the inside. He wants you to connect to Him and then connect to His children. Christians are God’s hands, feet and eyes today. The Bible is God’s voice. Together, the troubled soul can find rest by coming to God. The answer is not in shallow phrases such as, “Cheer up and make the most of your day…” That doesn’t do much good. The hope, the answer, the direction is God. Point them to God. Turn to God. The God who cares, forgives and is waiting. That’s the real answer.

  Troubled within…we all get that way from time to time. Life will do that to you. God is there. He’s looking for you. Don’t carry those troubles…cast them upon the Lord as Peter tells us.

  We are one day closer to Heaven!

Roger

14

Jump Start # 455

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 455 

Luke 15:17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!’”

  We return to the beloved story of the prodigal son. I’ve written several times about this, but keep finding new insights to this powerful story of forgiveness and second chance. You know the story, most of us have lived it ourselves and have our own personal version of it. The younger son, rebellious in heart, wanted away from his father’s rule. He asked for his inheritance and took off. He wasted the money living recklessly. This is where the expression, “prodigal” comes from. Broke, friendless, and without help, he begins working for a gentile pig farmer. He is so low that he longs to eat what the pigs are eating. This is where our verse comes in.

  He came to his senses. Sin is senseless. Sin doesn’t make sense. He woke up from this spiritual fog and came to reality. What a mess he was in. He didn’t blame dad, society or the pig farmer. He knew why he was there—it was his choices, dumb as they were.

  Once the fog cleared, he started thinking about home. He took an honest look at his father. He realized the servants at home were living better than he was, a son, on the road. His thoughts were not about his brother, his things, but how his father treated the lowest of people—the hired men. The King James Version words this passage in a wonderful way. It says, “how many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare…” It’s not that the hired servants have food, they have enough and even enough to share. His thoughts are,
“make me like a hired servant.” That is the speech he practices. If I was only a hired servant, I’d have food. The servants would share, they have plenty.

  He saw his father as a generous, benevolent and kind man. A master didn’t have to feed his servants that much. A master wasn’t required to pay the servants so well that they would afford to eat so well. But his father did. His father was abundant in blessings.

  Jesus uses this story to tell of a sinner coming back to God. The father in the story is a reflection of our true Father in Heaven. He is generous, benevolent and abundant in blessings. He treats us better than we deserve.

  Consider the abundant blessings of God:

  • Forgiveness—that’s what this story is all about. God receives back. God blesses. The son wasn’t made a servant, but restored as a son. God never runs out of forgiveness. It seems He never becomes weary of forgiving us. For that, I am thankful.

 

  • Today—today is a gift from God. Each day is a gift. Some days are better than others, but there they are. How many days has God given you in your life? There are so many that we count them by YEARS. Each special. Each a blessing. Each a gift. Today is one of them. Did you think about that? My day is stuffed and packed, but I have been given this day. I am thankful.

 

  • Heaven—we are one day closer today to Heaven. How beautiful Heaven must be. This is the end of the journey for us—Heaven. Not a visit, not a quick tour, but His home becomes our home. For this I am thankful.

 

  • Jesus—God gave Him to us. He is our Savior, our Lord, and our friend. He cares, He loves and He illustrates what we ought to be doing.

  Bread and enough to spare…that’s amazing! That’s God. Gloomy days, stressful times, and hardships can make us feel like all there is in life is pig food. So many settle for that. God has bread, and more than enough to spare. You’ll remember in the story, there wasn’t any bread where the pigs were. The prodigal had to get up and come home. That’s where the bread is. Don’t wait outside by the pig pen for bread, you’ll never find it. You must come home to where God is. Sure it’s hard coming home. Sure others, like older brothers, may whisper unkind things. But do you want to spend the rest of your life eating pig food when your Father has better for you?

  No one cares as much as God does. No one comforts the way God can. No one will be there for you as much as God will. He’s looking, even today for you to make up your mind, to come to your senses, to get with it and to get home.

  Today, we are one day closer to Heaven.

(P.S. How about sharing this with someone who needs to come home).

Roger

13

Jump Start # 454

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 454

Matthew 25:24-25 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’”

  Our passage today comes from the parable of the talents. In the larger context, Jesus gave three illustrations of the coming judgment—parable of the wise and foolish virgins; parable of the talents; and parable of the shepherd separating the sheep and the goats. Each of these reveals a unique aspect of the coming Jesus and what judgment will be like.

  The parable of the talents is about what was entrusted to the slaves. ‘Talent’ is not ability but a form of money. They were each given so much by the master, according to what they could handle. The master went away. After a long time, he returned and wanted to see what they did with his money. It never did belong to them.

  Great story—great lessons learned. Our verse today focuses upon the one talent man. He received just one coin. His fellow servants received more. They did more. He did nothing. He didn’t lose it, which is good, but he didn’t increase it by any amount. It stayed the same.

  Our focus is upon how this servant viewed the master. He said two things of interest: First, “I knew you to be a hard man….” Second, “I was afraid.” The master represents Jesus. Here is an impression some have of Jesus—hard. They are afraid of Jesus.

  The other two servants don’t seem to have that impression of the master. The Bible doesn’t give us that impression of Jesus. Walking through the gospels, you learn that Jesus is kind, compassionate, caring. The hurting come to Him. Those with questions seek Him out. The outcasts, the troubled, they flock to Jesus. A “hard man” would run people the other way. A hard man would be hard to approach. Compassion and kindness are not found in the heart of someone who is hard.

  This servant did not know God. His impression was off base. Maybe he heard that from someone else, maybe he blamed God for things God didn’t do.

  Our passage also says that the servant was afraid. Afraid of the master? Afraid that he’d get in trouble? Afraid of losing the one coin he was given? Fear led him to bury what he had in the ground. He didn’t take any risks. He didn’t try. Fear, kept him from doing anything.

  His view of God determined how he acted towards God. His actions fit a man who is both afraid and views his master as being a hard man. The wrong view of the master, led to the wrong behavior and actions. This leads us to consider our view of God. Our view of God affects our behavior towards Him.

  • If I, too, view God has hard, then my journey will be long, and filled with remorse and guilt. I can never do enough, pray enough, or be good enough. It will be hard to see myself in Heaven with these burdens. I will view my walk with Christ as a failure. I will not see myself as a good enough Christian.

I see and hear this in Christians. They want to go to Heaven, but are pitiful. Misery, gloom and fear seem to be their constant companions. They are afraid to do anything, lest they be wrong. They fear. They would never want to do something that was a bit different because they are afraid of what others might think. Fear dominates them.

  • Others, view God as a carefree friend, who just wants you to be happy. These folks are not too concerned with what the Bible says, just fill the heart with good emotions. Fun, exciting, and thrilling are what these people are interested in. They push the boundaries and often cross the borders of what God’s word says. They don’t seem too concerned. Just love, love, love –that’s all that matters.

These folks have a good time, if things are done their way. They are a mess if the traditional forms of worship are practiced. New songs, new ideas, new ways are what they want. Anything new…don’t give me that ole’ time religion—they want the New religion. The problem here is that they often march past what God’s blueprint authorizes. They offend others who aren’t into new nor marching the direction they are going.

  • The best view of God is the one He gives us. Yes, He is compassionate, loving and caring. He has a way and a will—it only will work His way. He wants you, thinks of you, and loves you and above all, never gives up on you. He’ll forgive you thousands of times, if you allow Him. He will fill you up and give you a purpose like none other. He wants you to be filled with His word. He wants you to walk in His ways. He doesn’t want you to be afraid of Him nor to not understand Him. God is good.

  I came up with a new phrase last night. I’m not sure where it came from, I probably just ‘thunked’ it up myself. When someone asks, ‘How are you doing,’ my new response is, “We’re one day closer to Heaven!” That makes all problems seem small. One day closer to Heaven…that’s it!

  Don’t be afraid…especially of God. Don’t listen to what others say about Him…look for yourself in the Bible. Don’t be like the one talent man. What a pitiful and miserable way to live.  Today, you’re one day closer to Heaven!

Roger

12

Jump Start # 453

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump start # 453 

Mark 4:38 “Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they; woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

  Does Jesus care? That’s the title of a hymn we sing, often at funerals. It’s more than a song, it’s a thought and a concern that many folks have. Does He care? Martha asked Jesus that as she was busy preparing food. She said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?”  (Lk 10:40). Do you not care?

  Our passage comes from the time when the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm came up. Things got bad, fast. Many of those in that boat lived on that sea. They were experienced. They were scared. They thought they were going to die.

  Jesus was asleep during the storm. How, I’m not sure. I understand He was at peace. I understand He had great faith. But still, it was a storm, a huge storm. The boat was up and down. They were soaked with rain and sea. It was dark. Jesus slept.

  Their question is not theological. It is not one that they had been tossing around among themselves for some time. This was probably the first they ever thought of it. They were all nearly the age of Jesus, in their 30’s. The thought of dying wasn’t on their radar, not until they intersected with the storm.

  They thought they were going to die. That thought does something to a person. All of a sudden the everyday stuff doesn’t matter. Who wins the ballgame, how the stock market did, what color to paint the bedroom, the car needs oil change, the things that seem to occupy a normal day, do not matter when the day is no longer normal. They thought they were going to die. They were doing everything they could to keep that from happening. They were bailing water out of the boat. They were trying to steer their way out of the storm. Finally, someone woke Jesus. Do you not care? He’s not doing anything. He’s not bailing. He’s not holding the sails. He’s sleeping. Doesn’t He care?

  Of course He does. The big picture makes all of this silly. Do you think Jesus would come from Heaven to drown in storm? Do you think He chose 12 apostles only to have them all wiped out in a boating accident? Doesn’t He have more knowledge, control and power than that?

  We don’t fault the disciples. We’ve been there. Racing a child to the hospital, the storm of debt, the fear of job loss, the dreaded word, cancer—all of these can make us cry out in fear, “do you not care?”

  The answer is YES, yes, He does care. Does that mean every storm will be stopped. No. Some storm we must travel through. To get to the green pastures the shepherds had to take the sheep through the valleys, even the valley of the shadow of death. Do you not care? Sure, He does.

  Do you know what He cares about the most? Not the storms. Not water in the boat. Not pressure, stress, worry. He cares that we are perishing without Him. He cares that we journey through life on our own and then when a storm hits us, we wonder where He is. How many perish each day without Him? That’s what concerns Jesus.  Storms come and go. Some are bad and some and ok.

  God’s wish for you is not comfort. That’s our wish. It’s not luxury. That’s our wish. It’s to journey with Him. It’s to go the direction He’s going. It’s to trust Him. It’s to believe Him. It’s to know that someday I will perish, but He’ll be there and He’ll take me home, where He is.

  Do you not care? What a question. We wonder—does the government care? You wonder. Does the company I work for care? You wonder. Does my church care? You wonder. Even, does my family care? You wonder. Does God care? YES. Yes, He does.

  For the disciples, the storm ended. Someday your storms will end. Jesus cares.

Roger

11

Jump Start # 452

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 452 

John 11:43 “When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus come forth.’”

  John 11 is devoted to the resurrection of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. Lazarus had been sick and then he died. Jesus delayed his coming, on purpose. He didn’t come when he was sick. He didn’t come immediately after he died. He waited. Lazarus was buried and still Jesus waited. He knew. He had plans. When Jesus finally came, Lazarus’ sister, Martha and Mary, both scolded Jesus, saying, had you been here he would not have died. They knew Jesus had healed the sick. Village after village had proof of what Jesus could do. But now, they felt, it’s too, late. He’s not only dead, but he’s been buried for four days. Too late.

  Jesus goes to the tomb of Lazarus, orders the stone removed and cries out, as our verse says, for Lazarus to come out. Lazarus hears and obeys. Jesus proves that He can talk to the dead and that He is the Lord of the living and the dead.

  I sometimes wish that there was a Paul Harvey, ‘The rest of the story,’ page to what happened here. After everyone left, and only Mary, Martha and Lazarus were together in their home, I would love to have heard the conversations. The sisters would be joyful and thankful to have Lazarus back, but what about Lazarus?

  The righteous who die go to paradise. There are comforted there. There is no indication that Jesus ever raised an unrighteous person. For Lazarus it meant, coming back to a world in which he would again get hungry, have to go to work, get tired, face bugs, diseases, disappointments, temptation and eventually die again. God does not tell us what Lazarus saw, felt or knew when he was in Paradise.

  The information given to us, particularly from Luke 16, is that it is wonderful for the righteous. That can’t be said for the wicked. I don’t think we’ll miss this world. The other side, especially Heaven, will be so wonderful, so glorious, so special that we won’t long to be any where else. That’s hard for us. When at work, we long to be home. When at home, we need to be somewhere else. Even at church services, we tend to be in a hurry to get somewhere. Not on the other side. I don’t think we’ll wish that we could come back and go to work just for a couple of days. I don’t think we’ll wish that we could again face temptation, nasty attitudes or mean people. I don’t think we’ll long to be anywhere else.

  I don’t know if Lazarus blamed his sisters or knew exactly why he was brought back, but I sure can imagine him saying to them, “Why? It was awesome over there. Why did you want me back?”

  Today, I’ve got a lot of places to be. My plate is full. Tons of things to get done. Typical day for most of us. Home is just a place to refuel, check in, and off we go again. Busy. Hurried. Always some other place to be. Not on the other side…Heaven is the end of the journey. No other place to be. Nothing calling our attention. No longer hurried. No longer trying to squeeze in one more thing in a tight schedule. No wishing to be elsewhere. Can you imagine?

  Won’t it be wonderful…in all the things we do, let’s not lose sight of our destination…we are heading to Heaven!

Roger