17

Jump Start # 648

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 648

 

Haggai 2:19 “Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit. Yet from this day on I will bless you.’”

Haggai is that little prophetic book that separates the two “Z” books—Zephaniah and Zechariah. Our passage is found at the end of hard times. Better days were coming. This had nothing to do with elections, weather, economy or an end of war, but rather, God’s renewed blessings. There was a period of time in which the harvest would not be much. God was withholding His hand upon the people. Punishing them for wrong ways. It would not be a perpetual punishment. The blessings would restore, especially with the coming of Christ. Salvation was the hope.

The expression found in our verse today is a great question, “Is the seed still in the barn?” Now I’ll admit that I do not know much about farming. This hot, dry season destroyed by few tomatoes. But I do know that if the seed stays in the barn, there won’t be any harvesting. Seeds must get into the ground for any good to happen. A farmer could have the best of equipment, including the finest and newest tractor, a massive planter and the best of everything, but if the seed stays in the barn, there won’t be a harvest. The farmer can buy the best seeds, read up about the latest technology in farming, study weather forecasts and talk all day about farming, but if the seed stays in the barn, there will not be a harvest. The farmer could have the best season for farming, rain at the right time, mild summer and just ideal weather, but if the seed stays in the barn there won’t be a harvest.

 

There is a principle here that I hope you see. The seed has to get into the ground. If the farmer is lazy, too tired, doesn’t feel like it, or simply doesn’t want to do it, there won’t be a harvest. The seed doesn’t do any good sitting in a store, a seed bag or in the barn. For a harvest, the seed must get into the ground. It’s that simple. That’s true whether you are talking about flower seeds, watermelon seeds, corn seeds, or the word of God—called a seed by Jesus in Matthew 13. The sower sowed the seed. It didn’t stay in the barn.

Consider some applications:

1. The seed of good intentions must get in the ground. Many of us think of great things to do. There is a family that’s visiting and a call might encourage them. There is someone in the hospital that we could visit. There are some folks that we could invite over to our home. There is a new neighbor that I could invite to services. So much to do. I have found that there is never a time when there is nothing that could be done. Yet, good intentions are like seeds. If they stay in our heads and we do little about them, the seed remains in the barn. Like the farmer, it takes effort, work and time on our part. The farmer that can’t pull himself away from the TV will be a poor man because he will not harvest unless he spends the time to get the seed into the ground.

 

2. The seed of teaching God’s word. There are so many wonderful ways of doing that these days. It’s really become easier and there are so many tools available to do that. One way is simple to bring the subject up. Invite someone to worship services. Ask someone if they have looked that up in the Bible. There are sermon CD’s on specific topics that could be shared with others. There are bulletin articles, even these Jump Starts, that could be given to someone. Do you know when most people think about death, the hereafter, and Heaven? When they come home from a funeral. It’s on their mind. Do you know when most people think about suffering and where is God? When they are in the hospital. So much good can be done, but the seed must get out of the barn. It’s not our job to convert, God will do that. Our job is to get the seed into the good and honest heart. Far too many places talk about the seed, study ways of getting the seed in the ground, discuss different soil types, best methods of planting, what worked long ago and what works today, but they do so little in actually getting the seed in the ground. The seed in the barn will not bring a harvest.

3. The seed of a good word. Encouragement is like oxygen to our souls. We need it. Not false flattery. Not rehearsed and unfelt praise, but genuine encouragement. Young people need that. They get beat up for listening to the wrong music, wearing the wrong clothes, going to the wrong movies and having the wrong friends. You’d think that they couldn’t do anything right. But there they are on a Sunday morning, with Bibles in their hands. They are trying. Give them a good word. Build them up, not shoot them down. Don’t forget the leadership—the elders and preachers and busy deacons. They do so much and often few know about it. The death of young preachers is harsh criticism that some think will help them out. All it does is pushes more to quitting. Encourage comes in nice words, small gifts, a pat on the back, telling others about the good they are doing.

There are more but this will get you started in your thinking. Good intentions…the word of God…encouragement—each only good if put into service. Get the seed out of the barn!

Roger

 

16

Jump Start # 647

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 647

Psalms 30:4  Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy  name.

God is good. He’s good to all of us, even if we do not realize that. He is worthy to be praised, honored, followed and obeyed. There are many ways to praise God and it is something that ought to be done everyday. Now, having said all that, I love Sundays. I write this on a Monday morning. Many groan because it means back to work and when school is in, it’s back to school. For me, that’s not the problem. It’s that it’s not Sunday. I wish every day was Sunday.

Sunday is different. Our schedule is different on Sunday. We get together as a church and we worship. We see each other. We are with each other. That’s special. We learn. We connect. We praise. We thrive on the spiritual level for more than a moment or two. Sunday is about God. Sunday is awesome!

As Sunday ended yesterday, I had this thought. I wonder how many people world wide had spent the day praising God. Some in little rural church buildings that are a hundred years old, others in huge new buildings, with a massive crowd, with all the latest techo stuff. How many voices, world wide sang to God yesterday? How many heads bowed as hearts reached out to God? Not just in this state, nor this country, but villagers in Nigeria, those meeting in secret in China, in India, or some of our Jump Start readers in South Africa or Norway? Different voices, different needs, different concerns, but one faith, one love and one devotion. I wonder how many sermons were preached yesterday? Old faithful preachers who have been doing this for more than fifty years, yet still preaching with all the passion that they can. Sermons that taught Jesus. Sermons that reminded about the one true doctrine of Christ. Sermons that answered questions. Sermons that challenged us to work in the kingdom. Sermons that called us to our great responsibility before us. Sermons that gave us hope. Sermons taught by young men who are just starting out. I wonder what the Lord thought yesterday when we witnessed His people world wide, remembering that precious death as they took communion? His people remembered. His people thanked Him for that. His people were touched by that incredible sacrifice.

It is so easy to see Sunday only through our eyes and through the lens of the congregation we attend. It’s much more than that. I have been to some small places. It’s hard. I preached for a church in Nebraska one week. There were only 7 people in that church. I preached at another place where there were only 4 people. Small. Hanging on. Hoping for more. Yet even then, they are part of something huge—the kingdom of God.

God is so worthy of all that we can give Him. Sunday is so special. I  think about that passage found in Romans and also Philippians where every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. Every. Not most. Not nearly all, but every. Didn’t happen yesterday. Some had the chance to praise God but they didn’t. Those that did, sure benefited. Worship helps. It has a way of bringing out the important stuff and getting our order in order.

 

Yesterday was special. Did you sense that? I hope so. Did it  make a difference to you? I hope so. There’s nothing boring about worship if you think about God. The good thing about all this is that if the Lord allows it, we’ll get to do this again in just a few more days. It’s not a once in a life time event. It’s not something that happens every once in a while. Sunday’s coming and I’m already thinking about it!

Hope you are too!

Roger

 

13

Jump Start # 646

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 646

John 6:66 “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”

This is a sad passage. It’s found in a lengthy section in which Jesus defines Himself as the living bread and tells the multitudes that they must consume Him. Strange thoughts certainly for the audience. They didn’t understand. Jesus had fed this crowd earlier and now He turns the attention to commitment to Him. That was more than many wanted. A free meal is nice. Healing the sick is awesome. But commitment, devotion, total loyalty was more than they were willing to give. They left Jesus. Not just a few, but many.

That happened then and it happens now. Some leave because they don’t think the church is friendly enough. Not enough people invited me to their home for a dinner. Not enough people paid attention to me. Feelings hurt, so some leave. Somehow in their thinking they forgot it’s supposed to be about Jesus—not them.

Others leave when the they have gotten all that they needed. Maybe there was a crisis, a bump in the marriage, a problem with the kids. They find a church, learn about Jesus, get some help, things turn for the better and then they leave. Found what they needed for the moment and then they are back to their old ways.

Where does a person go when they walk away from Jesus? There are not alternatives that will still get you to Heaven. There are no other options. The multitudes were offended by what Jesus said. They still are today. Some think that Jesus, or the Bible, shouldn’t say anything about marriage, and especially not divorce. That’s personal and it’s especially private and no one’s business but mine. Wrong. It’s God’s business. Some think that Jesus shouldn’t be pushy or demanding, yet He is the Lord and the N.T. is a law. Some think that we ought to just be nice, accept everyone, don’t judge and just love everyone as they are. There’s more to it than that. The Jesus that some want is not the Jesus of the N.T. So when things don’t work out off they go looking for another Jesus.

They may find a version of what they want. It won’t be the real Jesus, but it will relieve their guilt, allow them to be religious and mostly, allow them to do what they want. This is the Jesus they want. Some churches promote that brand of Jesus. Many authors write about that kind of Jesus. It’s not the real Jesus. They’re missing out. They’re not getting the whole picture.

Our passage doesn’t show Jesus chasing after these people who left and begging them to come back. It doesn’t show Jesus offering to soften the message, remove the demands  and allow them to go to Heaven without having to do much. We don’t find Jesus feeling guilty or wrong about this. The people left because they did not believe. This was a faith issue. Today, when some leave, fingers are pointed at the church. Too cold. Didn’t do enough for the young people. Not enough this. Too little of that. No one called. Some one said something weird. Someone sat in my seat. STOP! That’s not the cause. It’s faith. All of these things mean nothing and have nothing to do with one’s relationship with Jesus. Are you to tell me that someone is willing to lose Heaven, throw in the towel, quit walking with Jesus and go back to the world simply because someone was sitting in their seat in a church building? Do you really believe that? It’s about Jesus. Someone that really believes in Jesus will not be stopped by what others say or do. Someone that really believes in Jesus will be willing to lose their life for Jesus. All these excuses are from people who do not believe in Jesus. It’s shameful to see Christians trying to coddle and beg people to come to church services who once made a commitment to Jesus. I shouldn’t have to have anyone beg me to worship my Savior. Where is my faith?

These multitudes left Jesus because they were never really with Him. They followed but they were not connected. They watched but they did not accept. They heard but they didn’t believe. And when they found an opportunity they left. They never really wanted to go with Him. Without faith, a person won’t last long. Without faith, the lamest excuse is all that is needed to exit. It happened then and it happens today.

 

What’s the solution? Build faith. Teach Christ. More Bible. It’s not more fun that is needed. It’s not more outings, more get togethers, more food, more social times, it’s more faith. Faith, we are told, comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God. Hotdogs, canoeing, and softball create fun, they don’t build faith. Faith comes from the Bible. The glue that connects us to Jesus is not the relationships in the church, it’s not the incredible feeling I have with them, it’s not the attention they give me, it’s my faith in Jesus Christ. Too many places have lost this. They have people glued together through fun stuff, but not connected to Jesus. We need Jesus. It’s not the church that will save us, it’s Jesus. Our hope is not in the church, it’s Jesus. The church is a work in progress. The church has problems because the church is people and all of us have issues, baggage, sins and things we are working on. It’s Jesus who is perfect.

We often get bummed out about the church and take it out on Jesus by leaving Him. Bad choice. We only hurt ourselves when we do this. Without Jesus, where do we go? We are on our own and that’s a sad and long journey.

 

Build faith and stay with Jesus.

Roger

 

12

Jump Start # 645

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 645

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

 

Our passage today is the final verse in a long chapter about the resurrection of Jesus. Paul gives proof and consequences of the resurrection of Jesus. He was raised according to Scripture and was seen by many. Because He was raised, we will be raised. The hurt of death is lessened because of the resurrection. It’s a great chapter in the faith of all believers. He sums up those thoughts with our verse—a warning and an admonition.

Our verse in some ways seems to contain opposites, especially as it involves movement. In one way, the believer is not to move. He is to be steadfast, immovable. But in other ways, he is to abound—that is, he is to excel and continue on. Good thoughts to continue.

 

  • Immovable—most likely in one’s faith. Paul has just shown the reasons to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. He acknowledged that some, some there, some believers, did not believe in the resurrection. How they could is unbelievable itself. Now he wants the Christians to dig in and hold their position. Don’t give ground on this. There are some things that are non-negotiable and not open for discussion for other possibilities. There is no room for compromise here. Stand. Don’t move. Those words ring true today. There is always the latest book with a new twist, a new idea, a different way of seeing things. Many of those things move us from what is true. It’s ok to be stubborn in your faith as to what you believe. I recently had a discussion with someone about creation and evolution. I’ve studied science but I am not a scientist. I told this person that evolution is not a possibility. Once a person has grasped what the Bible teaches, the power of God, the formation of the Bible—there are no other possibilities. But couldn’t He have…NO. Is it possible…NO. Immovable. Put your stake in the ground and then hold your ground. Stand your ground on worship…salvation…faith…creation.

 

  • Abounding—moving on, increasing, doing more in the work of the Lord. Sometimes we get these two expressions backwards. Some are forever changing their views and immovable when it comes to doing anything. Long on talk and short on doing. This is  not what Paul was saying. We are disciples of Jesus. The resurrection is true. We need to be busy doing things for the kingdom. There are people who need us. There are those who don’t know the message. There are those who need comforting. Opportunities are everywhere. Jesus recognized that the workers are few, so few. Always abounding…did you catch that. Not just abounding but ALWAYS ABOUNDING. That means when I’m tired. That means when it seems that others have dropped out. That means when I’m young or when I’m old. Always. Not once in a while. Not now and then. But consistently, like the expression, “In season and out of season.”

 

  • Knowing that your labor is not a waste of time. Paul’s words are, “not in vain.” The word “vain” means empty, or useless. It was a favorite word of Solomon in Ecclesiastes. All is vain or vanity of vanity he would write. What you do is not wasted. We may not see the results, but God does. What we do may not bring changes over night, but the work is not wasted. Preachers need to remember this. We sow the seed and get weary because nothing seems to come up. Keep preaching. Keep working at it. Parents need to grasp this. Don’t give up. Sometimes, especially during the trying teen years, you may feel like you are losing the battle. Some battles you do. Winning the war is important. Your labor is not in vain. Many of us are living proof that labor is not in vain. Folks a long time ago put some time into us and showed us and helped us and taught us. Some of those people may no longer be with us, but what they did certainly is. Their labor was not in vain. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t quit. What you are doing makes a difference. The world seems to be getting darker and darker and fewer and fewer seem interested anymore in what is wholesome, right and godly. Don’t quit. One by one a difference is made. Philip talked to one Ethiopian in a chariot. It made a difference. Paul stopped one jailer from committing suicide and then showed him Jesus. It made a difference. Every person has a network and connection. Each person that decides to follow Jesus will now shed the light in their corner of the world. It does make a difference.

Hold your ground and keep it up—those are Paul’s words. Good words to live by. Good words to think about. Maybe it’s time to close the book on some of the stuff we’ve been reading and just open up the Bible and see what it says. Maybe it’s time to volunteer to teach a Bible class or go see someone who isn’t do so well. Maybe it’s time we held our ground and got busy for God.

 

Roger

 

 

11

Jump Start # 644

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 644

Psalms 73:3 “For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

This Psalm is written by Asaph. I appreciate the honesty and truthfulness found in it. Often we hide what we truly feel and think. This Psalm is a good one for all of us to read. It reflects how unfair things often seem and how that affects us.

Our passage says that Asaph was envious of the arrogant. The book of Proverbs warns us about envying the wicked man. Sometimes we still do, even though we shouldn’t. Asaph didn’t want to join the arrorgant or leave his faith in God and join the party of those who live ungodly. This wasn’t a case of evil companions corrupting good morals. That happens, but not here. Asaph saw something in the wicked that he didn’t see in the righteous, especially his life.

  • The wicked were prosperous.
  • They died peaceful (there are no pains in their death)
  • They had an abundance (their body is fat; their eye bulges from fatness)
  • They don’t have problems (trouble) like others
  • They are at ease and have increased in wealth

He does recognize their wicked ways.  They mock and oppress others. They are violent. They ridicule God and speak arrogantly against Him.

What really bothered Asaph is the sharp contrasts in behavior and results. He was trying to live righteously and pure. He loved God and wanted to do what was right. Yet his life and those of the righteous were not defined by wealth or ease. This didn’t seem right.

It didn’t then and it doesn’t today. Why is it that the guy who never darkens the church building and guzzles beer on a daily basis, has a foul mouth and is rude and obnoxious, lives in a fine house, drives new cars, has a fancy boat and takes a vacation about every six weeks? How is that? How is that the family that’s trying to do right drives an old beat up car, never seems to have enough money, struggles to even take one vacation a year—yet they are always at worship services, they have people in their home, they love the Lord and are opposites of their wicked neighbor?  Why is it that way?

This injustice and unfairness really bothered Asaph. He admitted that they were “troublesome in his sight” and that his feet “came close to stumbling.” He nearly threw in the towel and joined the wicked.

Asaph went to the sanctuary of God and was reminded of the end for the wicked. He wasn’t talking about death, because he saw that they had no pains in their death. What he realized was the spiritual end of the wicked. Their wealth, fatness and peace on earth did not help them with God. He realized that those who are “far” from God will perish and God will destroy those who are unfaithful to Him.

Heaven is not now. God doesn’t buy our faithfulness. Having the best of this world can change us and mess us up. There are some things that Asaph had that the wicked man didn’t. Asaph had a relationship with the God of Heaven and earth. Asaph could walk in such a way that it would please God. Following God would bring Asaph into the greatest person that he could be. His relationship with God would impact his marriage, his children and all those around him. A man of integrity, a man of hope, a man of righteousness—this is what it means to be a follower of God.

 

The wicked man had nice things, but he was death to be with. This chapter repeatedly mentions the arrogance and pride of the wicked man. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in that house or worse to have such a person as a boss? He didn’t care about anyone except himself. Money will buy a fine house but it will not buy character, peace of mind, or compassion and love. He had stuff but he was empty on the inside. Like the rich man in Luke 16, his death left all his possessions to others and cast him into a world of torment where he had no help and no peace. This is not the way to live and certainly not the way to die.

 

Heaven is real. Heaven is for those who love the Lord and walk with Him. Heaven fall exceeds anything earth can come up with. The most wonderful things of earth are nothing compared to Heaven. We sing, “This world is not my home…” but we stand in line with Asaph sometimes and our faith takes some hits because we become jealous and envious of the wicked. The answer to these things is simple. Take your eyes off the glitter of the world and fix your eyes upon Jesus. That’s the answer. That’s what will help you the most.

Don’t be stumbling through life spiritually. Stand firm, act like men, be strong in the Lord.

Roger