10

Jump Start # 451

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 451 

1 Samuel 17:11 “When Saul and all Israel head these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”

  Our passage is taken from the story of David and Goliath. It really happened. It’s an amazing story of courage and trust in the Lord. Many of us grew up hearing this story in Bible classes and Vacation Bible Schools. Before David fought Goliath, there is another lesson—a story about fear.

  The armies of Israel and the armies of the Philistines had gathered for war. Instead of fighting, Goliath, the champion warrior of the Philistines would taunt and challenge Israel. This went on for over a month. He wanted a one on one fight. There was no one who could met the strength of this colossal man who stood over nine feet tall. Every day, for forty days this went on. Our verse today reveals that Saul, the king of Israel and the commander in chief of the troops, was scared. The army of Israel was scared.

  That thought introduces us to several important subjects—the most important is fear.

  There are two kinds of fear—real fear and imagined fear. They both can cripple a person on the inside and keep them from doing what they should. Real fear is what Israel felt. They knew what they were afraid of—he stood in front of them. Real fear is when the doctor first tells you that you have cancer, when you have been told that your job is eliminated, when you are forced to move out of your house because you couldn’t pay the mortgage. That’s real. There is no waking up from that dream.

  The other fear is imagined—it’s what our minds do to us. Fear of the unknown, fearing what could be, but isn’t. You hear a noise in the house—is it someone breaking in? You’re scared. You find out it was the cat or some dishes settling in the sink. You don’t feel well, before you go to the doctor, before you have the tests, you fear the worst. You fear it might be the disease that will take your life. Is it? You worry, fret and can’t sleep until the tests are completed.

  Fear drains us of faith and trusts in God. It is interesting that we don’t see Israel, especially Saul, praying to God, seeking help from God or trusting God at this time. They seem to be frozen in their boots. Unable to do anything. I wonder what would have happened, had David not finally showed up. He heard the taunts one time and went into action. Saul heard them for forty days and didn’t have a plan.

  Another lesson here, when leaders become scared, it affects everyone else. When parents are scared, the kids will be scared. When the leaders in the church are scared, it affects the members. Fear will keep us from doing things. Fear stops us. No ideas. No plans. Just scared. Have you noticed the brave face politicians put on during a crisis. They do that on purpose. They want the nation to know that they are still at the helm of the ship. Films of FDR speaking to the nation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, or George Bush after the 9-11 attack, helped the nation keep focused during difficult times. Leaders need to calm those under them. Leaders need to lead, especially during difficult times.

  This story reminds me that sometimes God helps us through our fear from very uncommon sources. In this account, a teenage shepherd boy named David. His confidence in God and his trust rallied Israel and they caught his courage. Church leaders may be reminded by teenagers or widows of how God will help them. Parents may regain their composure from the assurance that their children have in God.

  Don’t overlook God’s help. It may come from uncommon places. God’s help may not come from the leaders down, but from the teenagers up.

  Once Israel saw that Goliath could be defeated, they went about their job of driving the Philistines out of the territory. That’s what courage will do. It will drive fear out of your heart. You need to know that you can do it and that it will be ok in the end. God being with you is the greatest confidence. It assured the scared fishermen in a boat when a storm came upon them. They awoke Jesus, pleaded for help, and the Savior calmed the storm. Fear gone, they could trust again.

  Fear will make the dog seem bigger than what he is. Got some fears? Who doesn’t. Have you been stopped in your tracks because of it? Look to God. If you can’t see Him, look to someone who does see Him. You may have a David in your life who will drive out the Philistines that have caused you to fear.

  Don’t tremble in your boots, march onward! God needs you. 

Roger

07

Jump Start # 450

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

Jump Start # 450 

1 Peter 2:6 “For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and He who believes in Him will not be disappointed.’”

  Peter is referring to Jesus in our passage. He quotes from Isaiah. This thought is found twice in Romans. The following verse in Peter says, “the stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone.” The concept is building a structure with large stones. Stone cutters and stone masons would be used. Each stone would be carefully examined. The stone would have to be cut straight and be able to bear the weight of other stones on top of it. Jesus was chosen by God—He was the best stone. The builders, the Jewish nation, examined Jesus. They heard His words, they saw the miracles. They rejected Jesus. They rejected Him after examining Him.

  Peter, using Isaiah, says, “he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

 Disappointment. That’s a part of life, it seems all of life. As a student, a person may be disappointed at which teacher they got, often hoping for another one. We watch our favorite teams get beat and we are disappointed. We can disappoint our mates, when one comes home and the other hasn’t lived up to what they said they were going to do. We buy things and when we get home the items are not as great as we thought, we are disappointed. A new CD comes out by one of our favorite groups, and it’s not so good. We’re disappointed.

  There is a deeper level of disappointment—it involves the emotional and spiritual support that we need. A person can be disappointed with the folks at church. The lack of leadership, selfishness, and a general disconnection can leave a person feeling isolated and alone. Prayer lists are found each week in bulletins, but those names are rarely prayed about. A meal is taken for a funeral, but after that, nothing more is done. A child becomes a prodigal and no concern seems to be extended. I am seeing this spiritual disappointment all over the country from brethren in all sizes of churches. It seems that we are so wrapped up in our world that we forget about others. The result is members start finding comfort elsewhere and sometimes in places and with people that they shouldn’t.

  When our prayers are not answered as we want, we can feel disappointed with God. We wonder why He is not there for us. The Psalmist would cry many times, wanting to know why God seemed so distant and removed. Silence can do that.

  Disappointment leads to resentment and anger. Most times, when a member is angry with the church, is because of a lack of support, encouragement and connection with the others. It happens. We do drop the ball—let’s be honest. There are times the leadership fails.

  Leaving doesn’t solve things. You’ll find yourself being disappointed elsewhere in time. Stick in there. God works on His time table not ours. The song, ‘In His time,’ reminds us of this. God is good. Don’t give up on Him because things are not the way you think they should be. Lessons are learned during tough times.

  And don’t give up on others—you need them and they definitely need you. It’s through disappointment that changes come about for the positive. You be the one who is there for others. You show people how it ought to be done. Why should I? Because it’s what God wants you to do.

  God has never deserted you nor not loved you. NEVER. He has promises, plans and big things awaiting for you. Be the feet, eyes and hands of God as you serve others. Develop that heart of a servant.

  There is no disappointment in HIM. For that, I’m thankful.

Roger

06

Jump Start # 449

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

Jump Start # 449

Ecclesiastes 3:2 “A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.”

  Our passage from Ecclesiastes is found in that wonderful section about time. Solomon gives us a series of couplets about time, “there is a time for every event under heaven” is how this all begins. The British group, the Byrds, put these words into a hit pop song in 1965.

  There are two elements Solomon brings together here—first time. “There is a time…” We don’t say that. It’s the opposite with most of us—”there’s not enough time,” or, “I’m running short of time…” I’m late. I’m behind. Being late has found a niche in the greeting card industry, the “belated birthday card.” There is a time. A time to be born and a time to die.

  The second element Solomon brings is death. We are rarely ready for death—of anyone, especially, friends, family and self. He tells us there is a time.

  There are three deaths that are on my mind. One was announced to the world yesterday, Steve Jobs, the brains and driving force behind Apple. He was a person of ideas that became reality that shaped and made the technological world available to most of us. What I see in Steve Jobs is a man who had ideas and he wasn’t afraid to take a chance. Few of us will have the Apple touch like he did, but we learn from him that some worthwhile things involve chance, risk and believing in them. That’s the stuff that makes differences in families, in churches and in our hearts. Fear always keeps the boat tied up to the dock. It’s more than a foolhardy whim, it is thinking things out, thinking things through, praying about them and not fearing rejection nor that others don’t see what you are seeing. How many of us and how many churches fail to dream big dreams, to pray big prayers, who fear trying things. Sure it’s costly, risky, but the upside is unbelievable. I love dreamers. I love planners. If nothing changes in your habits, friends, and what you devote yourself to, you will be the way you are in five years. Yet, by doing things now, whether it’s saving money, sticking to the diet, developing spiritual habits, growing deeper, you’ll be better in five years. Are you keeping the boat tied to the dock?

  A second death: his name is not widely known and it is becoming more and more forgotten by each generation. He died 100 years ago today. He was a college president, a professor, an author, but the hat he wore the best was a preacher. His name is John William McGarvey, known affectionately as, J.W. McGarvey. He died 100 years ago today in his beloved Lexington, KY home. His books, his sermons, his classes taught a generation the word of God. He fought the tide of liberalism that was sweeping the country. In his days churches were exploring the concept of using instrumental music—a departure from what the N.T. taught. McGarvey tried to keep brethren true to the primitive NT ways. His funeral, preached by a distant relative of mine, was held in a church building that used an organ. He would not have liked that. McGarvey’s life illustrates that we all have battles to fight—some personal, some for God. Our influence fades with time—but the good that we do can affect future generations. You have battles you need to fight – some personal, some for God. The Lord needs you to stand against a new generation that wants change and has given up on the N.T. way. Using your influence makes a difference.

  The third death was the greatest of all—it’s the death of Jesus Christ. God sent His son to die—to die for Steve Jobs, to die for J.W. McGarvey and to die for us. We needed that death. That death changed eternity. As you walk with Jesus, you are shaping your eternity and showing others what is important.

  Three deaths—three lives…there is a time. A time to be born and a time to die. I’m glad Steve Jobs did what he did—I love gadgets. I’m glad McGarvey did what he did—he showed that preachers and all of us need to remain true to the message. But I am thankful for our Lord and Savior—His life, His death, His resurrection, has given me a purpose, a plan and a place in eternity! There is a time…

Roger

05

Jump Start # 448

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 448

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

  Philippians has been called the “joy” book of the N.T. Some have gone so far as to suggest that it was Paul’s favorite place—I think that’s stretching things a bit and overlooking some obvious things he addresses in the book. Nevertheless, Paul uses the word “rejoice” seven times in this short book.

  When comforting someone, it is easy to tell them, “Cheer up.” Paul told the Philippians, “rejoice.” Just saying that, doesn’t do it. Most people don’t like being down in the dumps. It seems that when things are dark on the inside of us, it affects everything we do. It’s hard to get motivated when you’re feeling blue. A person tends to be more sensitive and even more selfish when they are down. Some stay in bed all day long. It’s often hard for those not down to understand those who are down, if that made any sense. Simply saying, “snap out of it,” or, “cheer up,” may seem like a wonder pill that will fix everything, it generally doesn’t.

  Those cheery and cute clichés, such as “turn your lemons into lemonade,” may sell T-shirts, but they overlook the seriousness of many problems and can be considered contrite and even annoying to someone who is down. Paul’s many “rejoice” statements are different. He based them upon the Lord. He took them back to the blessings of Jesus. He reminded them of the grand work of God that was being done. The problems before them were nothing to what God is capable of doing nor what God had promised.

  It is easy for to become impatient and even frustrated with some who will not “rejoice.” We tell them to, but they remain in a dark cloud. Their failure to snap out of it, pulls us down and we become depressed because they are depressed. Funny how that works.

Letting a person talk helps. When Elijah was hiding in his cave, God asked him what he was doing there. Elijah talked. Listen more than talk. When a person is down, they tend to make things worse than what they are. They begin believing that no one likes them, that they are incapable of doing anything worthwhile and that no one needs them. They see themselves as the poster child of the unloved and unwanted.

Assure them that many of their feelings are not based upon fact. God loves them. Always has and always will. Affirm your love and concern for them. Inviting them to a meal, small gifts are ways of showing that you care.

Connect them, first to God and then with others. Isolation builds depression. Withdrawing until you feel better is not good advice nor medicine. Withdrawing only deepens the hole that they are in. Getting around others. Laughing again. Helping others. These are all valuable things. God sent Elijah out to appoint someone a king. God sent Titus to Paul when he was depressed. Connections are important.

Prayer. This is what we find in Philippians. Praying to the God who can and will help. Praying calls upon someone greater than self to pull you out of the ditch.

  With these things they then can be reminded to “rejoice.” The problems most likely will still be there, but they don’t have to be overcome with them. They’ve got God working on them and He’s an awesome God!

  One final thought here, Paul who spoke those words to the Philippians was in prison when he wrote that book. Sometimes we think that we have to wait until OUR problems are gone before we help others—not so. Prison is a problem—yet Paul was helping others. If we wait until our problem is gone, we’ll find that another one has taken it’s place. Helping others is not only for those who are “prison free.” Paul shows us otherwise.

  Rejoice! Today is the day God has made, be thankful, find ways to glorify Him, and be His hands and feet to help others. Much to do, and God needs you to do it. Rejoice.

Roger

04

Jump Start # 447

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 447

Nehemiah 2:2 “So the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.’ Then I was very much afraid.” 

  Sadness—many people walk through life this way. It’s not that they want to be sad, they just are. Some folks have been sad for a long, long time. Nehemiah, in our passage was sad. The king noticed. For Nehemiah, it was news about his home land that made him sad. The walls around the city remained in ruins after the Babylonian invasion. The city was coming back to life, but no one was building the walls. Without walls, the city was vulnerable. How could the people ever be safe without walls. When Nehemiah first heard about this, in chapter one, he wept for many days. He prayed to God. Eventually, he got the courage to speak to the king and he went and led the nation in building the walls—in just over fifty days.

   Some are sad because of personal stuff—family problems, failing health, loss of jobs, failed relationships, funerals, dumb choices and decisions made, sin in their life, people who disappoint. Others are sad on a larger scale, like Nehemiah. They see our country becoming more secular. They see the leadership at church is out of touch. Things are right.

  I’ve been told that a good cry now and then is good for a person. Maybe that’s a way of venting frustrations. Sadness has a way of making our mood dark and gloomy. Sadness keeps some people in bed, when they ought to be at school or work. Sadness is like letting the air out of a balloon—we are left wandering if we will ever be the same.

  Children get sad—usually when they don’t get their way. But they seem to bounce back faster than adults. For us, the gloom can hang around us like a dark November day.

  How do you comfort someone who is sad? What do you say? Can anything be done?

  Nehemiah prayed. That book carries many prayers. He was praying all the time. There is a hymn that says, “Are you weary and heavy laden…take it to the Lord in prayer.” God understands when others don’t. God can do things when others can’t. Above all, God can forgive. The more we pray, the more we are inviting God into our world.

  Nehemiah did something. No one was doing anything. It wasn’t his job. His concerns, prayers and faith, led him to do things. He went to the king. He was scared to do that. He went to Jerusalem and rallied the people. He dealt with discouragement, opposition and ridicule. Use the sadness to made changes, count blessings, to become a better person. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “If everyone would sweep in front of their house, the world would become cleaner.” We wait for others to do it. We wait for someone else to do it all. Just sweep in front of your house—not literally with a broom, but spiritually, emotionally. Do what you can. Don’t wait for others—you may wait a long time. Don’t try to sweep the whole city, you can’t do that. But you do what you can.

  God’s purpose for us to not happiness—it’s holiness. I believe the holy life that is rich in Christ will open our eyes to the wonderful love that God has for us. That fills the heart, especially when it is missing a loved one, or others have disappointed. Knowing that God has been thinking about you for a long, long time and that God is counting upon you does something to a person.

  Rainbows can only be seen after it rains. It takes sunshine to make rainbows. Some days are so dark in our hearts. We may wonder if we’ll ever see sunshine. You will. It takes time. Don’t isolate yourself. Get out of the cave, as God told Elijah, and get around others. Eat well. Sleep well. It’s hard when you don’t feel like it, but that’s part of get back to where you need to be. But most important, don’t give up on God. He alone can make the sunshine and the rainbows.

  So open the blinds, you might see the sun peaking through, even today.

Roger