31

Jump Start # 906

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 906

 

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

We continue our look into Profiles of Courage—great examples of faith demonstrated by those who loved the Lord. Our example today comes from the life of the apostle Paul. He was a man of courage who dealt with internal fears and depression. It’s hard for some to think of Paul like that. They want him to be perfect in every way, almost a mini Jesus. His own words tells us that he had fears and depression. However, he did not allow those thoughts to keep him from advancing the cause of Christ. This shows us that courage will often press us on when we don’t feel like going. If we have to have complete assurance and all of our questions answered, then we will never do much for the Lord. The fear of rejection will keep our mouths closed. The fear of failure will keep us from trying. The fear of something hard and difficult will make us find the easy and comfortable.

 

Our passage is taken from one of Paul’s early journeys. Everywhere he went, the Jews followed. They resisted, opposed, challenged, threatened and tried to stop the preaching of Christ. On this occasion, they followed Paul to Lystra. They turned the crowds against Paul, and threw rocks at the apostle until they assumed he was dead. They dragged his body out of town and dumped him there. No trial. No burial. Violent mob running on rumors, fears and anger, seemed to win. Some think that when Paul mentions going to the “third heaven” in 2 Corinthians, that he had this occasion in mind. That possibly he did die, but God brought him back. Could be.

The disciples stood around him. I expect they didn’t know what to do. Not just with the body of Paul, but where do we go from here. What are we supposed to do? It looks like they were defeated. As they stood looking, Paul got up. He was alive. This wasn’t over.

 

Then, in a most powerful act of courage, our passage states that Paul “Entered the city.” He returned to the very place where he was stoned. He went back where the mob was. He went back to the city. He didn’t return with his own mob. He didn’t sneak in during the middle of the night. He got up and entered the city again. Amazing. I’d be so scared. My first choice would be the fastest vehicle going out of town. Not Paul. He entered the city.

 

That’s courage. That’s doing the right thing. That’s putting principle above self. That’s a great example for us. Now, we don’t have folks throwing rocks at us and dragging us out of the city. But we do have people who attack our character and say mean and hurtful things. They exclude and avoid and make it very clear that they want nothing to do with us. They influence others. This happens at work. This happens at school. Sadly, this happens in the family and worse, in the church. Rocks of criticism are thrown at us. Rocks of ridicule. Rocks of gossip. Rocks of blame. Rocks hurt. They cut. They bruise. It takes a long time to get over rocks. Some never do.

 

For some, they leave the job because of the pressure of co-workers. The number one reason people switch jobs is not money, but better working conditions among co-workers. Some will leave a congregation. Some will quit “church” altogether because of how they were treated.

I recently talked with a man who was the source of rumors and charges of falsehood. He left the city for another job. He now has the opportunity to return. I thought of this passage. I told him it would show a lot of character to go back to the place where people treated him badly.

 

This takes courage. It takes courage to stay, when the easy thing to do is run. IT takes courage to return after others have hurt you. It takes courage to continue on when it seems that some don’t appreciate what you are doing. Courage.

No one made Paul return to the city. No one would have thought less of Paul if he moved on. But for what he did, we think MORE of him. What he did amazes us. It makes us think, if Paul could return immediately to the city after they thought they had killed him, can’t I put up with some loose talk? Can’t I continue on with some shallow minds? Can’t I keep on?

The hurtful words of others have made some younger men stop preaching. They were criticized harshly. The rocks did the job. Courage was lacking. Don’t let others stop you from doing what is good and right. Don’t let jealous hearts, prejudiced minds, shallow thinkers, or the workers of evil stop you from doing what is right. But it hurts. Yes, it does. I’ve had verbal rocks thrown at me. Rocks hurt. I’ve been deflated and nearly defeated. I considered quitting more than once. I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad I go up and returned to the city.

Returning to the city doesn’t magically make everything right. It doesn’t take away the pain. For Paul, those Jewish rebels would continue to harass him. They would follow him to Ephesus, then Philippi, then Thessalonica. Chasing him like hornets, Paul continued on. There have been some who went to their graves without ever apologizing for throwing rocks, verbal or literal. God will be their judge. We don’t stop parenting because our kids complain and think we are terrible. We press on. We don’t stop. God is the one we please. If we are doing that and others still complain, we get up and return to the city. If they don’t like our style, method, thought, manner or way of doing things, as long as God does, we get up and return to the city. We cannot stop what we are doing because of critics, especially those who do not walk with God.

We must get up and return to the city. Is that hard? Yes. Can we do it? Yes. It takes looking beyond self. It takes faith. It takes courage.

 

It may be time for some of us to return to the city…

Roger

 

30

Jump Start # 905

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 905

Daniel 3:16-18  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

 

Our study in “Profiles of Courage” takes us to the book of Daniel and the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. This lesson has been a favorite since children’s Bible classes. It is a lesson about conviction, confidence and refusing to cave into what is wrong.

 

Remember the setting? The Babylonians had invaded Judah. They killed many, destroyed the king’s palace and gutted the Temple. It was at this time that the ark of the covenant was taken, probably placed in a Babylonian temple. No one knows what happened to it, not even Indiana Jones. The Babylonians kidnapped several youths. They gave them Babylonian names, taught them Babylonian ways and introduced them to Babylonian religion. This is the setting for our three Jewish boys. Away from home, not off to college, not on vacation, against their will, having seen their city destroyed, they are in the land of their captors.

 

The king of Babylon has a huge festival and demands that all bow before the image he has created. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused. They stand. They stand alone. They stand and are noticed by officials. They are taken before an enraged king who demands that they obey him. They are defiant. They refuse. There is a fiery furnace. They are thrown in there. God saves them. They do not die. They are brought before the king. They don’t even smell like smoke.

 

What these three young men illustrate for us is the courage to refuse to do wrong. They were the only ones it seems that refused to bow. They held God’s law higher than the king’s law. They understood that God’s law applies in Judah, as well as in Babylon. God’s law applies whether you are home or a captive in a foreign land. God’s law applies whether it is easy or gets you in trouble. They got that. I pray that we get that.

 

This chapter makes us wonder about the other Jewish youths that were captured. It makes us wonder about Daniel. Were they at this mass celebration too? Did they also stand? Many questions, no answers from the text. We know only of these three Jewish youths.

 

These three teach us that there are consequences to following God. Some of these consequences are tough. They put God before self. This is courage. They would not bend, even an inch on what God said. They would not pretend to go along with the Babylonians. They could have easily bowed and prayed to God. They didn’t. They could have bowed and tied their shoes. They didn’t. They could have half bowed. They didn’t. They did not want any to think that they were going along with what was wrong. They stood.

That defiant spirit that refused to go along with what was wrong is founded upon a faith in what is right. This was not a political statement between Judah and Babylon. This was about standing for God.

  • It is that spirit for what is right that will cause a young person to leave a party that has turned into an excuse to drink alcohol. Most major universities today have serious problems with students drinking huge volumes of alcohol. Away from home, influenced by others, too many youths are bowing down to the pressure of “a good time” that is illegal, sinful and the first steps of a life long battle with addiction. Those without convictions and those without courage are those who are bowing down. Many toss away their faith at this age because Sunday morning is used to sleep off what happened Saturday night. Few are up and getting ready for worship on Sunday. They have already bowed to a false image.

 

  • The pressures to do wrong doesn’t end with college. The corporate setting is cut throat and breeds the spirit of lying, cheating and dishonesty. Become a part of this or be left behind. It’s be one of them or be stuck with no hopes of advancement. For those without convictions or courage, it’s about bowing down to unethical, dishonest and immoral practices. They do that to survive. They do not see how keeping God’s law fits in a tank of sharks who are all trying to get a step up on the next guy. Those that bow down do not see that the dishonesty that they have sold out for begins a life long journey of lying and dishonesty that creeps into their homes and marriages. They have already bowed down to a false image.
  • The pressure to do wrong is even found within churches. Sons and daughters of leaders are given a free ride when they have been caught doing wrong. Certain favorites are given  allowances even in teaching error because of church politics. The pressure to go along, accept is widely felt. Those without conviction or courage abide. The church is weakened. The influence of the leaders become more corrupt. Many bow down to a false image.

 

The three Jewish boys stood. The king got angry. He threatened violence. They actually were thrown into a furnace. There are consequences for standing. People know. You are noticed. There are whispers. There are those who run to the king, or boss, or church leaders to tell. There is the calling in on the carpet. There are those who get very angry and threaten. There are consequences. The loss of a job…the loss of a friendship…the reputation that has been falsely twisted. There comes pleas to join the wrong. There comes threats. There comes tears, shouts, fears.

 

The three Jewish boys stood. They stood with God. They stood against a nation. They didn’t try to run. They didn’t get in the mud with the king and use the occasion for violence. They remained true to God’s principles, all of them.

 

I expect before the day is over, you will see things that are wrong. You may be asked to join in or at least look the other way. Don’t cause waves, you will be told. Don’t stop the fun we are having, you will be threatened. Three Jewish boys long ago, would not dilute their faith to save their own lives. God was greater than they were. God was who they followed. “We are not going to serve your gods…”

 

Courage. Do you have it?

 

Roger

 

29

Jump Start # 904

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 904

 

Hebrews 11:33-34 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

 

Profiles in Courage, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by John F. Kennedy in the late 1950’s that highlighted the bravery of eight United States senators throughout the history of the United States. Long before that book was written, God’s book, the Bible, showed us the profiles of many courageous men and women of faith throughout history. This week, I want to highlight a few of these people of courage. Men and women of faith. They endured harsh treatment, stood up to powerful kings, refused to cave in to pressure, and looked death in the eye. There are many stories to choose from. Many put the cause of God before their own safety and comfort.

We read in Revelation, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”  They did not love their life even when faced with death. How does a person do that? We are not faced with near the threats nor the trouble that the early disciples did. But that doesn’t mean we do not have a need for courage today. The student walking down the hallway of high school needs spiritual courage. The Christian whose family is not believers and they don’t want to be believers, needs courage. The Christian that works for an employer who is corrupt and offensive, needs courage. It takes courage to share the Gospel of Christ. It takes courage to travel to a foreign land and preach and teach. Don’t think because we live in America and not Rome, that we do not need courage. We do. Reading about others ought to motivate us, help us, and make us realize that we too, can stand up for what is right.

Courage is not just a characteristic of believers, many must up courage each day in what they do. The firefighter racing to a burning structure has to have courage to do his job well. The nurse who works with addicts or inmates survives on courage. Our soldiers in foreign lands are called to the lines of attack. They have must have courage.

 

There are moments we face uncertain and scary circumstances. The boss who must fire an employee because rules were broken, must be strong and courageous at that moment. The whistle blower who brings evidence of corruption before authorities has to have courage. Even the faithful wife who has had enough of her unfaithful husband’s cheating, relies upon courage to end the broken relationship. Courage.

 

Courage is built upon the idea of believing something right. There is a principle, a conviction that is so true and right, no matter what the circumstances. This is the heart of courage. It is belief. It is faith.

 

Secondly, courage puts the preservation of that principle above self. What is right is bigger than self. It is more important than self. This is why a person will take risks, even risking all, for what they believe in. Some have lost jobs, standing for what they believe. Others have lost their life, standing for what they believe.

 

Thinking spiritually, what this means, is the cause of God, the rightness of what the Bible says, is unbending, unchanging, and worthy of all that we are. This is why when some were told you cannot preach any more, or else, they took the “or else.” This is why when called upon to do brave things, they did them. They believed. They knew what was right. Were they scared? Certainly. Did they wish for other ways, most likely. But they knew God was right. They knew the cause was right. They were even thankful to be used in such ways.

 

We remember the words of encouragement, from Jesus and the apostles, to rejoice in suffering. Hold your head up. Don’t be ashamed.

 

To have courage is to have a moral and spiritual backbone. It is to speak out when things are not right. It is to put the brakes on things that are contrary to God’s will. It is not to be afraid of being unpopular, standing alone, or even called out. It is standing with God. These moments of courage have caused brethren to break fellowship with others because some wanted the church to do things that were not taught in the Bible. False ways and false voices had convinced the majority in the church to do progressive and unsound things. When it got to a point that no one would listen to reason, the courageous left and started their own congregation that would be true to God’s word. Often, they left nice church buildings to start meeting in someone’s living room. Often, ugly letters were mailed accusing them of wrong, when they were simply standing with God. Our spiritual forefathers walked by faith and lived daily with courage. They stood upon the backs of the heroes in the Bible.

 

Our verse today, illustrates some of the courageous acts that were common among God’s people. A new generation needs to know these stories. Without courage, brethren compromise. The message gets diluted. The cause of Christ changes.

 

There is a hymn that sings, “To Christ be loyal and be true…” To Christ, be courageous. Even today, the courage to say, “You shouldn’t say that.” The courage to say, “will you come with me to services next week?” The courage to say, “No, that’s not accurate. Here’s what the Bible actually says…” Courage. You need. I need it. It is scary, but it will strengthen your faith.

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 903

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 903

 

Luke 23:42-43 “And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

 

I’m off to Texas this morning. I am speaking in a lectureship this evening. There are a total of four preachers that will be speaking this weekend. The theme is the cross of Christ. My lesson is, “Conversations from the cross.” It comes from this passage. It is about the Lord’s last conversation before His death. It is a conversation with the thief on the cross. Two dying men…both being executed by the government. One for crimes against the nation, the other, innocent. Death on the cross was not a pretty sight. It was a form of torture. Death was slow. It was not merciful. It was intended to be painful and horrific. It was not done behind closed doors, but out, often on busy roadways so all could see. Death on the cross, was a statement. It said, “Don’t mess with Rome.” You rebel and you will be crushed. It was a warning sign for others who may have been thinking of doing the same. The hand of Rome wins.

 

There on a hill that looked like a skull, very fitting, is the execution of three men. A crowd gathered to watch. Many taunted Jesus. They mocked Him. His dying moments were not peaceful and loving. No one holding His hand…no one wiping His brow…no one praying a prayer for Him. Instead, jabs, taunts, ridicule, and mockery. The crowd got into this. The soldiers executing Him got into this. Even the other executed criminals got into that. It was a hostile crowd against Jesus.

 

Then something happened. Before the sky grew dark. Before the earthquake. Before the graves opened and the dead came out. One of the criminals had a change of heart. He recognizes that Jesus is innocent. He stops talking about Jesus and begins talking to Jesus. He has a request. One sentence. Nine words. “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.”

That seems odd for one dying man to say to another dying man. He didn’t ask Jesus to rescue him. He didn’t ask Jesus to get revenge. He simple asked to be remembered when Jesus comes in His kingdom. Obviously, he thought and believed that the cross was not the end for Jesus. Why would you tell someone who is dying to remember when he comes, unless you thought that after death he was still going to come. In that atmosphere of hatred, mocking and ridicule, there is a single flower of hope. There is a simple statement of faith. There is a glimpse of belief. Here is someone who gets it. Jesus had talked and preached about His kingdom. Parable after parable illustrated the kingdom of Heaven. Here was one who asked to be remembered when the kingdom comes. No one else had asked that. No one else had connected that Jesus was the king and that death would not stop Him. A ray of faith in a dark day of death.

Remember me. The book of Nehemiah ends with this prayer, “Remember me for good, O my God.” Remember me. King Hezekiah said a similar thing. When he was told to get his house in order because he was going to die, Hezekiah turned to the wall and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” Remember.

Those are remarkable statements. I think one of the first things most of us would say is, “God, please FORGET.” Forget all those dumb things I did. Please forget all the times I slept in church and didn’t pay attention. Please forget the times I gossiped and was part of the problem. Forget.

Another word that would be near the top of the list is: FORGIVE. Please God, forgive me for my failings. Forgive me for letting you down. Forgive.

Instead, this one thief, Nehemiah, and Hezekiah all ask the Lord to Remember. Remember me. Remember how I walked. Remember me for good.

 

A dying man asked the dying Jesus to remember Him. This wasn’t so Jesus would put his name on a plaque or put flowers on his grave or once a year celebrate his passing. He was thinking beyond that. He thought the dying Jesus would come in His kingdom. He thought the dying Jesus would have His kingdom. He thought the dying Jesus would come. Remembering meant that Jesus would include him in the kingdom. If Jesus could do this, couldn’t He stay the execution…overthrow Rome…save his life? He wasn’t asking for those things.

 

I find it interesting in a desperate final moment that this dying thief wants Jesus to remember him. Did he remember Jesus before this? Was he in the crowd when Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son? If he was, that lesson didn’t do much good. Did he eat some of the bread that Jesus fed the multitudes with? Had he seen any of the miracles? Was he in the audience to hear the sermon on the mount? Remember me. Had he remembered Jesus?

Here is a thought for us. Remember. Remember me, Jesus. How will God remember you? How do you want God to remember you? Now is the time to do something about that. You have the opportunity to hear and learn the lessons from Jesus. You have the time to grow faith in the Lord. You have life, which means you can decide to walk with the Lord.

 

One of the most chilling statements in the Bible is when Jesus said, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Remember what? Remember you? I don’t know you. I never knew you. This is because they never knew Him.

 

Jesus, remember me…

Roger

 

 

 

25

Jump Start # 902

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 902

 

Lamentations 3:22-23 “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

 

In the midst of describing the horrific destruction of his beloved Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah remembered the goodness and mercy of God. Rich in descriptive words, these verses  teach us that God has a continual love for those who want to walk with Him and be faithful.

 

I especially like the expression, “they are new every morning.” There is something about a new day. A new day greets us with plenty to do. It’s off to work, school, or pursuing a list of errands that we must run. Often our days run together. The more we try to squeeze into a day, the more we fail to complete in a day. Work carries over from one day to the next. Home projects and duties trickle into the next day. Our days are full.

 

This passage though is not about what we do in a day, but what God does. His lovingknindness, which means mercy and His compassion, which means His love and care never cease. They never fail. God never runs out. You and I do. We tire. We get tired of stress. We get tired of each other. We get tired of messes. We get tired of helping others. We get tired of forgiving. Not God. His mercy never ceases, His compassion never fails. You see that illustrated with Jesus. You never see Him losing His temper and walking away from hurting people. You never see Him shouting, “You got yourself in that mess, you take care of it.” His lovingkindnesses never cease.

What would happen if they did? What would happen if God no longer cared? Prayers rejected. Blessings turned off. What if God turned His back to the world and said, “I’m tired of them. I’m through with them.” If God did that we’d be sunk. That would be what Hell is like. Instead, they never cease. They never fail. They are new every morning. New mercy. New compassion. Not leftovers. Not old stuff. Not hand-me-downs. New. Every morning.

 

As you wake up, God has new hope for you, new mercy for you, new compassion for you. They are new today. He wants to guide you today. He wants to help you today. He wants to bless you today. All of that sounds good to us. We’d think, “Yes, sir, bring it on!” Yet, I wonder how are we to God every new morning? Tired? Grumpy? In too much of a hurry for God? Preoccupied with getting everyone out the door? Running late and hope to give God a few minutes at the end of the day, if I’m not too tired?

 

I see a contrast here. God is new fresh and ready to go every morning. Every morning compassionate, merciful. I see us too consumed with horizontal living that we forget God is up there. Up there ready for us. Up there with new compassion. Up there hoping we will be thinking of Him this morning.

 

I’m glad God is not like us. There are some mornings I ought to go back to bed and start over. There are some mornings I can’t seem to get things going. There are some mornings that all I am thinking about is what I have to do that day. To be honest, there are some days, that God doesn’t enter the picture. I start the day that way. He doesn’t. Every morning, even today, He has new lovingkindness and compassions. New. Fresh. Just ready for you, TODAY.

 

Makes you wonder doesn’t it? Why is God so good to us? If He treated us like we treat Him, most of us would be in trouble. He doesn’t. He’s patient. He’s merciful. He’s looking. He’s waiting.

 

Why not take a moment, and pray to God. Thank Him for this day. Ask Him for strength, for this day. Bring God into your day. It’ll help you, affect you, and change you. And to think, brand new, just for today, lovingkindnesses and compassions, straight from Heaven!

 

Wow! Now, that’s a beautiful day!

Roger