29

Jump Start # 637

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 637

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

It is interesting to trace the numerous times in the Bible that the word “water” is used. Water is an essential to life—not just ours, but all life. Without water, plants dry up and die. Without water animals die. Without water, we die

  • In the creation account God separated the land from the water
  • Elijah filled a trench with water and soaked his sacrifice before God sent fire from above demonstrating that He alone was God
  • Nicodemus was told by Jesus that a person must be born of water and spirit or else he cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven
  • Peter told the audience at Pentecost to be baptized for the remission of their sins
  • The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool off his tongue
  • Jesus defined Himself as the living water

In our times, we don’t think much about water. We don’t have to gather at a well to draw the water we need to cook and clean. The ancient wells were not only the source of water, they were occasions to visit, catch up on news, discuss politics and share life. About the only times we really think about water is when there are floods or droughts. Hot weather, dry ground, and clear skies, remind us of how important water is.

Our passage has to do with the simple act of giving water to someone who has need. There are two emphasis within this verse—both looking at the insignificant things.

First, “even a cup of cold water.” The stress upon the word, “even,” implies that it is understood that a cup of cold water doesn’t seem like much. In the ancient world a person could draw water from a well for free. Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water. She was amazed that He had nothing to draw with. A person wouldn’t normally come to a well without a bucket or a dipper of some sort. She thought it was odd that Jesus was at the well with noting. Water doesn’t cost much money or effort. The passage is showing that even the smallest of gifts or kindness makes a difference. We wouldn’t think much of giving someone a bottle of water who was working in the hot sun. A few months later, and especially ten years later, that act would be long forgotten. Had we given someone money to go to college—we’d remember that. Had we given someone a month’s rent, a car payment, a bag full of groceries—we’d not only remember that, but we’d tend to expect a thank you card in the mail. Cold water? Think nothing of it. But it makes a difference, especially to the one who is thirsty. One cup doesn’t solve all his problems. One cup isn’t a life time gift. It’s simple. It’s for now. It doesn’t even take care of later. Yet God noticed. It is an act of kindness. It shows thoughtfulness and compassion.

Second, “one of these little ones.” Jesus liked talking about the “little ones.” The “little ones” are often overlooked. Giving a cup of cold water to the star, the hero, the king makes us look good. They may honor us. They may have us sit with them at a banquet. Their people may contact our people. But a little one isn’t like that. They don’t have “their people.” They aren’t in the position of prominence. They are overlooked in a crowd. They are common. They are everywhere. Many will serve a king, but will anyone serve the servant? The little one is one of God’s children. The little one has a soul. The little one is as important as the “Big One.” Give cold water to the little one.

Do you know any little ones? This is not about size—a big guy compared to a short guy. This is not about age, little ones being children. This is about one’s lot in life. The CEO who runs the company is known. He’s rich and he lives in a big house. Yet it’s the little ones in the factory that keep the company going. They often work long hard hours and do not receive near the pay that the CEO does. Little ones—it could be the widow in the church, or the single person who just never married, or the person that scrapes by. The cold water is not given to a person who has water, but to the one who needs water.

 

I expect if we thought about it, we all have “little ones” in our lives. Good people who just don’t have much. Folks who are trying. Disciples who love the Lord. They fill our Bible classes. They may never teach, but without them, there would be no class. The teacher gets praise and compliments, but it’s the little ones who learn, grow and get stronger. The little ones may never contribute much money, but they, like the poor widow Jesus saw, do what they can. They may never preach a sermon, but they show up and often bring a friend. I think sometimes we make too much of the “big ones,” and not enough of the “little ones.”

Can you do something for a little one? Even a cup of cold water helps. Don’t ignore them because they are little. Society has always had different classes of people. First class on ships had nice comfort. Third class was in the bottom of the boat. The “Upstairs” people were served by the “downstairs” people. Some would want to end all class systems and have a form of communism or socialism. That has proven not to work. Those that have need to look after those that do not have. The little ones are important to God. They are not more important than the big ones, yet they are not less important. God loves all His children.

When Harry Truman became President of the Untied States, someone said to his mother, “You must be proud to have a son in the White House.” She said she was and she was just as proud of her other son who lived down the street from her. Big ones and little ones. Love them all and serve them when and where you can.

Roger

 

28

Jump Start # 636

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 636

Ephesians 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.”

Our passage today is so typical of the beauty found in Ephesians. It is rich with great expressions and insights. Paul was wanting the brethren to see three powerful lessons about Christ.

(1) the hope of His calling.  It is not our calling, but His calling that Paul had in mind. His calling is Jesus. Christ came on a mission. He came at a specific time for a specific purpose. The hope of His calling refers to the salvation of the world. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

 

(2) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. That is a full statement. Many key words here: riches, glory, inheritance. Sanctified, redeemed and Heaven bound are the characteristics of God’s people. These words highlight the best that comes to the saints. Inheritance belongs to those who are in the family—here, the family of God. It is a rich inheritance. It isn’t less than we hoped for, it is more than we expected. The inheritance is more than living forever. It is more than going to Heaven. It is being with God. It is being in the family of God. It is fellowship and connection with the God of Heaven.

 

(3) The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. The emphasis is upon Hs power. It is by His power that the world came to be. His power separated water, opened the earth, stopped the sun, crumbled walls, protected His people and sent foreign armies to flight. His power restored crippled legs, sight to the blind and life to the dead. There is no power greater than His power. His power is amazing. This power is toward us who believe. God works with us and through us and in us. In the early days of the church, God’s power allowed the saints to do miracles. God’s power does even greater things. The gospel is God’s power unto salvation. God’s word changes lives. It can lead a selfish man to become thoughtful, compassionate and generous. It can lead a drunk to stop drinking. It can lead an immoral man to become holy. It is amazing what God’s power can do.

These thoughts begin with Paul’s prayer. He prayed that the “eyes of their heart may be enlightened.” Eyes of the heart—Paul wanted them to see, not just with their physical eyes, but through their heart, through their spiritual heart, these truths.

Eyes that do not see, will not experience the spiritual freedom found in Christ. Eyes that do not see will not understand nor grasp the glory, power and hope that is found in Christ. Eyes that do not see, will not change. They will see religion as “nice,” but not necessary. They will try to find God on their terms, and only when they need Him. They will miss out. They will live without hope, glory and power.

Satan tries to cover our eyes. He doesn’t want you to know these things about Christ. He longs for you to close your eyes to the truth and return to your sinful ways. Paul’s prayer was that all would see. What a joy it is being a Christian! Christ offers things that can be found no where else. There is nothing that equals, nor replaces what Jesus is.

Sometimes we forget these things. We complain and grumble about things down at the church house. We get feeling a bit selfish and self centered. We get busy with the things of this life and forget the surpassing glory, the awesome hope and the incredible power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This world has never been the same since He first spoke about the kingdom of Heaven. Thousands, world-wide, have bowed their knees to this Jesus. Literature, art, and even how we designate years are all influenced by the presence of our Lord. To deny He ever existed is to be a fool. To live without Him is to be ignorant. To follow Him is to know these wonderful truths that Paul shared with the world—His hope, His glory, His power.

Are you glad you are a Christian today? Have you told God that? He adopted us when we weren’t very pretty. He took us in when we had nothing to offer Him. He loved us, shaped us, forgave us, equipped us, included us and now labors with us. It’s great being a Christian.

Roger

 

27

Jump Start # 635

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 635

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Our verse for today lists six evil spirits or attitudes that should not dwell within a disciple of Jesus. The following verse identifies three godly characteristics that ought to replace these. Those are kindness, tenderness and forgiveness.

What is interesting about our list of wicked attitudes is to see how they are all connected to one another and progressive. One naturally leads to the next. Each one getting worse and feeding off the previous attitude. These are not stages where one starts with bitterness and then leaves that for anger. No, instead, anger grows out of bitterness. Instead of having one problem, the person now has two, until all six are manifest and the person is a real mess.

I want to give some thought to the start of all this—BITTERNESS. Bitterness is the state of being sour, extremely upset, agitated, bothered. Mostly, a person becomes bitter about the way they were treated. They were expecting something else. It didn’t happen. They became bitter. Have you ever known a bitter person? Their face rarely smiles and the color of life seems to fade to a shade of grey. They look like a mess on the outside because that is how they feel on the inside. A bitter person is not pleasant to be around. Their tone is sharp. Their words are mean. They talk only about themselves and how they were mistreated.

Some become bitter when a loved one dies. Bitter with the medical staff. Angry, mean words, and threats of lawsuits fill the air. Some become bitter towards a company because they were downsized. Some become bitter towards a congregation of God’s people because they won’t put up with wrong behavior. Some become bitter towards God.

Bitterness moves to anger very swiftly. It doesn’t take long. The more a person stews over their plight, the more rage builds within them. Wrath, clamor and slander are the choices of an angry, bitter person. Wrath is about fighting—either with words or with fists. Clamor is simply stirring things up. Making trouble. Slander is a form of revenge. It’s spreading false things about someone to hurt them. A bitter person doesn’t think straight. They don’t see the trouble they cause. Like a tornado, they spin faster and faster and many that are in the way get hurt. Their families suffer first. Then, those that happen to be in their path. Often, the bitter person makes things worse than what they are. The bitter person sees them self as a victim, as the knight on the white horse, fighting a battle against wrong. Their perception is distorted. Their view is blurred. The bitter person is the one who is in the wrong. The bitter person spews their anger upon any who will listen, trying to gather an army to support them on their campaign against all those who have hurt them.

You can see why the apostle begins with the word bitterness. He tells the disciples to get rid of all bitterness—not most of it, or just the big stuff, but all of it. It doesn’t take much bitterness to set a person off. Bitterness grows. If it is not all removed, it will take over a person.

Is it possible for a bitter person to be kind, tender and forgiving? Yes. The Bible says so. Bitterness is not a person’s lot in life. They can overcome it. They can be compassionate like Jesus. It’s not easy. Nor does it mean that fairness, rightness and justice has prevailed. No. You may have been wronged. Bitterness is a choice. You don’t have to go to the land of bitterness and dwell there the rest of your days. Some do. They die a bitter old person.

I’ve noticed that bitterness tends to age a person. Those that harbor those ill feelings look old, tired and wrinkled long before they should. Some have been bitter for so long that they don’t even recognize it any longer. It’s like walking with a limp. It’s tough at first. But do it long enough and a person hardly even notices. Bitterness is the same. So sad.

How does a person get rid of bitterness? Forgiveness. Jesus. Prayer. Choosing. Wanting to. It’s not easy, especially when a person constantly sees the things or people that makes them bitter. Bitterness is hard to get rid of in a marriage. It must be done if the marriage has any hope. It’s hard to worship at a congregation that a person is bitter with. Most don’t. Sooner or later they will leave. If they take the bitterness with them, they tend to tell others about how rotten the last place was. Their anger will affect their relationships in the next congregation.

Some preachers are bitter. They were poorly treated, or at least they think they were. Their sermons reflect anger as they preach. The bitterness will taint the good that they are trying to do. It will influence the congregation that they work with. Some churches are bitter. They hate everyone. So sad. It’s hard to present the good news when you are not in a good mood.

Have I spoken some things that you found to be true about yourself? Do you have some bitterness deep within you? It’s time to cut it out and replace it with what God wants. Bitterness is not ok. The apostle says to put away all bitterness. When we don’t, we are not following apostolic instructions—we are not following Christ.

Pray that God will help you rid the bitterness and anger from your heart. Replace the bitterness with kindness and forgiveness. This is God’s way. This is the best way. Borrowing an expression from the state of Maine, ‘this is the way life is meant to be.’

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 634

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 634

Luke 14:16-18 But He said to him, “ A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.

Our passage today is rich with emotions. There is the anticipation of this fine banquet. This was no ordinary meal. This wasn’t a common meal one would have at home. Luke tells us that  it was a “big dinner.” A big dinner includes two ingredients—lots of people and lots of food. The text supports that by saying, “he invited many.” Had they all come, it was going to be something.

There is also the emotion of hard work. Arranging such a celebration takes a lot of effort. Finding enough tables, placing them in the right area so everyone has room, cooking the food, fixing the room just right. There is much that goes on behind the scenes for such a wonderful occasion.

There is also the emotion of not wanting to come. Rejection and refusal go together. Three specific men were invited. They didn’t come. They all had excuses. Understand in Biblical times, it was difficult to know the exact hour when everything would be ready. Today, we are invited to an event, we are told what time it starts. Long ago, they would know the day. They would agree to come. When everything was finally cooked and ready, servants would go to those who had accepted the invitation and announce that they could now come. It is these folks that are turning down the invitation. They had accepted the initial invitation. This concept is repeated in the story of the wise and foolish virgins. The day of the wedding is known, not the hour. The groom, at the home of his parents, is busy getting all things ready. When it is time, he leads a parade through town to the home of the bride.

In our passage, the men had accepted to come. Now that everything was ready, they begin to decline. The host had counted on them being there. Food was cooked with the idea that they were going to come. Now they refuse. They don’t want to come. This is an awkward social blunder. Those who said they were coming are despised because they changed their minds. The host is embarrassed because he looks bad in the eyes of others. An embarrassing moment. Often today, especially at weddings, we will have an RSVP. I’ve noticed that many do not honor that. They do not commit to coming, so the host doesn’t plan on them being there. Then they show up. There is a flurry of activity to find chairs, food and such like. If the people had only RSVP as they should have. The opposite also happens. They say they are coming but they don’t.

In this passage, three men have three excuses. The first man claims he bought a piece of property and must go look at it. His possessions become his excuse. This excuse seems lame and I tend to think that most excuses look that way. Either he is so wealthy that he has others buying land for him without his actual inspection or else, he’s rather dense in the head fof buying something without looking at it. He cannot come because he must look at his new property. Couldn’t that wait? A few hours? Until the next day? Was it so pressing that he had to break his word to the host of the party? Possessions—stuff—things of the world. They tie us down and often keep us from doing what we ought to.

The second man, who also had promised to come, now cannot. He claims, that he bought five yoke of oxen and must now try them.  Typically, a yoke was a wooden harness that went over the necks of two animals. Here, oxen. To have five yoke means that he bought 10 oxen. A considerable investment and implies a large farming operation to need that many oxen. He statest that he cannot come because he must test them. Again, this seems lame. Would you buy oxen without first testing them? Maybe they are worn out and unable to pull plows. Maybe they are used up and worthless. Why purchase without first seeing them work. So the man who promised to come, now won’t. Work calls him. He must try the oxen. His refusal hurt things back at the banquet. Work is necessary to survive. Work is good for us. It makes us productive and profitable. Someone with a strong work ethic will do well in the world. It’s the lazy, those who could work, but won’t, that are a burden to society. Our jobs can define our lives. We often ask, “what do you do?” Implying, where do you work. For some, work is their life. We let work get in the way of family, friends and even God. We justify it by saying, “I have to work.” This man said in essence, “I have to try the oxen out.” I have to work. I have to break my word, my promise and my commitment because I have to work. Work can get in the way of Jesus.

The third man said, “I have married a wife and cannot come.” This seems most lame of all to me. Was he single when he made the commitment? Did he not know of his coming wedding? Could he not bring her along? He let family relationships get in the way of his promise.

The master was angry with all three men. He sent his servants to find others. The banquet would not be cancelled. The passage ends with this cold statement, “None of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.” It was their loss.

 

Possessions—work-family, all of those are a part of life and all of those are necessary. However, if they keep us from Jesus, we will never taste of the dinner. We, who have made a promise to Jesus, will lose, if we allow these things to come between us and Jesus.

The immediate context has to do with the Jews who had the prophecies about the coming Messiah. They were invited. They were the ones that the banquet was for. When Jesus came, they rejected Him. They accused instead of accepted. They questioned instead of received. They denied instead of embracing Him. Their reasons were lame. Their excuses were embarrassing. They missed the dinner. They lost.

 

How about us? Not the right time? Too busy now? Kids need your attention? Are we sounding like the three men in this story? Jesus invites you to His banquet. He invites you to be saved. What a wonderful relationship awaits us with the Lord. You don’t want to miss this. No excuse is good enough, not when it comes to salvation.

Are you with the Lord? Today? Remember, we are one day closer to Heaven.

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 633

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 633

Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”

Our passage today comes from a series of illustrations and principles about the coming judgment or as some call it, ‘the final judgment.’ The chapter begins with the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The groom was away and was to return. They all expected his return. The foolish were not prepared for such a long wait. Their lamps ran out of oil and they were left outside the door pleading to be let in. They were not ready.

The second picture is of a master who left his servants various amounts of money or talents. Upon his return he wanted to see what they did with his money. Two of the three servants doubled the master’s money. He was very pleased with them. The third servant had buried his in the ground and gave the master back the exact amount that he started with. The master was furious and cast that servant out.

The third picture is of a shepherd who separates goats from the sheep. He’s interested in sheep. He wants the sheep. The goats will go.

Our passage today follows that illustration. It teaches us several important lessons.

First, the Lord is aware of what these people were doing. He knew that they had fed others, visited others and clothed others. God knows. When we invite people to our homes, God knows. When we do things to help out others, especially those in need, God knows. Little acts of kindness are witnessed and remembered by Heaven.

Second, one of the basis of judgment, not the only basis, but one of them, is what we DO. Doing seems to be a dying trait among many disciples today. Folks are long on talk. They stress what they believe, what they stand for, what they hold as their faith. They write articles, debate theories, teach classes—which all have a place, but never take the place of doing. This shows us that judgment is much more than having the right answers. It’s more than being able to pass “Heaven’s test.” Our faith does little if it doesn’t move us to act upon what we believe. Faith is more than a thought, it is put into action. Hebrews 11 shows that. By faith Noah built the ark, Abraham journeyed, Joshua marched around Jericho. Their faith led them to do things. That is a serious concern for us. Are we keeping our faith without letting it move us to action? These disciples in our passage fed, clothed and visited. Their faith did that.

Third, our passage shows that these disciples had open eyes to see these things. They were aware of others who needed feeding, clothing and being visited. Some never see these things because they can’t see beyond their own concerns and their own lives. Don’t you think that these disciples had issues, problems, and things to do, like the rest of us? Don’t you think that money was tight for them, like it is for us? Don’t you think it took some effort to cook the food, gather the clothing or travel to the prison to visit, like it would for us? Certainly. In many ways it must have been harder for them. They didn’t have the convenience of modern technology and conveniences of stores, travel or communication as we do. They had families. They had jobs. They were busy and had every reason to find an excuse not to do anything, but they did. They saw what needed to be done and they took care of it. Their faith moved them to action. They were aware of the needs of others.

Fourth, they had huge hearts that cared. That’s the drive behind all of this. They saw others who needed things, and they cared. Their love, their faith and their concern moved them to do things. Selfish folks never see the needs of others. They fuss because no one ever did anything for them.

The groom, the master, the shepherd, the king, Jesus—is coming. That’s what this chapter shows. He’s coming not to build or start, but to gather. He’s coming as the groom to gather those who are ready to a wedding feast. It will be a fabulous celebration. He’s coming as the master to gather the servants and to look at what they have done. He’s coming to separate the good from the bad. He’s coming to gather all the nations together for a judgment. He’s coming to judge. The righteous will enjoy Heaven. The wicked will be cast to Hell.

Heaven and Hell are linked together in this chapter. They are real places. People will be placed there based upon their choices, not God’s. Their actions, their decisions, their choices led to Heaven or it led away from Heaven. If there is a Heaven, then there is a Hell. If there is no Hell, then Heaven isn’t real either. One verse, one sentence ties them together. Few preach about Hell anymore. All want Heaven. Most want Hell to just go away. It won’t. It’s can’t.

Judgment. It’s coming. It’s being decided, not by God but by us. It’s not the few big things, but the every day things. It’s about today. Too busy today to do things? The same will happen tomorrow most likely. The same becomes a week, then a month, then a year, then a lifetime. We were going to, but we were too busy. We thought someone else ought to do it, not us. Before long, we will be standing before the Lord and those horrifying words, “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat…I was in prison and you did not visit me…” Our response? We were going to Lord, but the kids needed this. Work was demanding. I just had to get away for a vacation. Nothing—nothing to eat…nothing to drink…nothing to wear…nothing but loneliness because we didn’t visit.

 

These words sure sink deep into our soul if we have a heart. It makes us wonder, reflect and modify things. They make us think, maybe today I need to stop by and visit the hospital, nursing home, or the lonely. Today, I need to do this between errands. These words affect us. They move us. They make us realize that we can do things. We ought to do things. We must do things.

Today is the day that I’ll do something! I hope it is! I hope you do!

Roger