27

Jump Start # 985

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 985

Luke 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?

 

NOTE: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We will not have a Jump Start tomorrow or Friday. Enjoy the time with your family. Be thankful. Help others.

Our passage is one that I refer to often at Thanksgiving time. It is the account of the healing of the ten lepers. There are some interesting things about what happened. They are united in a deadly disease. The one who thanked Jesus was a Samaritan. Jesus made note of that. The very mention of that fact implies that the other nine were Jewish. Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other. They would not be standing together if they were well. This disease has crossed lines of differences and found that the only companion a leper has is another leper. I wonder if the nine cleansed lepers ever spoke again to the cleansed Samaritan.

 

They were also united in crying out to Jesus for mercy. Luke tells us that “THEY raised their voices, saying Jesus, Master, have mercy on US.” They and us—together in need.

 

They were united in what Jesus told them to do. The Lord didn’t tell the Jews to do one thing and the Samaritan something else. They were all given the same command—”go and show yourselves to the priests.” The priest of the Samaritan would be different from the Jewish priest but they seem to be united in going together. Go and show. He didn’t say, you are healed. Go and show. They left hoping, believing and thinking something would happen. It did. On the way, they were cleansed. They were given life, hope and a future. Jesus changed them.

The Samaritan returned to Jesus before he went to the priest. He fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him with a loud voice. The others were on the way to see the priest. They didn’t return. Jesus noted that. It is often suggested that they were not thankful. I doubt that. They were. They were wanting to have mercy and Jesus gave it to them. They received exactly what they were asking for. Why were they not thankful? Were they disappointed? Did this mean that they had to return to family and work and they didn’t want to? Not at all. They, like us, too often, are thankful in our hearts but we fail to express it. Others do not know that you are thankful until you say it. The one leper took the time to return and verbalize his feelings to Jesus.

 

We need to say “Thank you.” We need to say it often. Feeling it, knowing it, thinking it, isn’t the same as saying it. The one leper took the time to return and thank Jesus.

Here is a short list that comes to my mind of folks we need to say “thank you” to:

 

  • Our parents for the care in raising us. Many of us got a great start in life because of our wonderful parents. They sacrificed for us. They worked hard to put us through college. They took us to worship often. They set rules. They fussed over us. They made us be modest, decent, and responsible. And look at us today…we are doing great things and much of that is due to our start.

 

  • Our God for forgiving us. Salvation is a gift. God doesn’t have to save us. He chose to. What a mess we would be in without Jesus and grace. Have you ever said, “Thank you,” to God for forgiving you? Have you ever wondered just how many times God has forgiven you? Most of us would have run out of patience on ourselves by now. Not God. He believes in you, loves you and wants you. Amazing. Doesn’t that deserve at least a verbal “thank you.” One of my favorite hymns is entitled “Thank you.”
  • God’s people that continue to help us. There are those in our congregations whose smiling face just seems to make everything right. There are those in other places who have preached sermons, written cards, sent emails, shared an article, said the right thing in the right way, that pushed us, reminded us, helped us, encouraged us and kept us going. They believe in you. They won’t let you down nor will they let you quit. They support, defend, and trust you. Thank you. Thank you. Let them know that. Tell them.

 

  • And a personal one for me, thank you our readers of Jump Starts. So many of you have dropped me emails, nearly every day now, with expressions of warmth, love and encouragement. Who would have ever thought that this little thing I write each morning would have touched so many hearts. I feel that you, the readers have helped me more than I have ever helped you. I have been reminded that goodness is still out there. People do care. Honest and good hearts are making a difference. Our hearts have been brought together over sad news such as the death of friends and we have rejoiced with happy news like a wedding. Our list of readers continues to grow every month. I am amazed. You have touched my heart deeply and I would invite each one of you to my house for Thanksgiving but I think that would make my wife a bit frantic about where we would sit everyone. Thank you. Thank you for reading, sharing and believing in the goodness that I have tried to express in these Jump Starts.

 

Thank you. Say it. Express it. Show it. Mean it. Live it.

 

My thanks to you,

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 984

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

 

Jump Start # 984

1 Samuel 20:18 “Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.”

 

We are just days away from Thanksgiving. It’s a busy time for many of us. Food has been purchased to prepare a feast. Some will be traveling and others will be having family coming in. It’s a great time. Memories, laughter, fun are all a special part of this.

 

Our verse came to my mind this morning because I know of several friends who will be going through this Thanksgiving with someone missing. Especially on my heart is the Pickup family in Florida, the Wright family in Ohio, the Brewer family in Lafayette, Indiana and the Smelser family in Pennsylvania. Each of those families had funerals this year of someone who was much too young to die. Theses are not the only ones. There are many families that will sit down for a holiday meal and one seat will be empty. It’s one thing for a person who cannot make it home, especially those in the military. That’s hard. But when we know that there is a seat that will always be empty, because they are never coming home, the holidays can seem cruel and bitter. While everyone else seems to be having a great time, you are falling apart on the inside.

 

Our passage today anticipated death. David was being chased by King Saul. The king was obsessed with killing David, to the extent that it seems he let everything else go in the nation. He sent his troops after David. Time and time again, Saul nearly killed David. It was the protective providence of God that spared him. Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a special bond with David. They were friends. Jonathan became the inside informant that warned David of Saul’s plans. Our verse surrounds one of those warnings. Saul was going to use the feast day as an attempt to kill David. Heeding Jonathan’s warnings, David would be gone. His seat would be empty. He would be missed by Jonathan.

 

The first holidays are the hardest after a death. Everything seems out of place. Those around you are unsure how to act. Do things go on as normal? Do we cancel what we usually do? Do we avoid talking about the one who has passed away? Do we bring it up? No one knows. You do not know. The empty seat is a reminder that things are never going to be the same. The empty seat pulls you into tears and sorrow. How does a person deal with the empty seat?

First, understand that God knows. Pour your feelings out to God. Prayer helps. We sing, “Does Jesus care?” The chorus reminds us, “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares…”

Second, lead the family in making this a special Thanksgiving. There may be tears, but that is ok. Talk about the good times, the memories, the funny things. Share and enjoy. Remember that there are others in the family and life goes on. Spiritual hearts will especially make this easier.

 

Third, this doesn’t have to be a huge cry session. It’s ok to laugh, have fun and be yourself. Everyone else may think you have to be in a gloomy mood, but you don’t. God has blessed you. God is good. There is much to be thankful for. One of the things that stands out the most is that you were able to know so well the person who passed away. You knew things that no one else did. You knew what made that person so special and unique. God allowed you to be a part of that person’s life and heart. You sat at the table with that person on a regular basis. That is a huge blessing that very few will ever understand. God brings us into each others lives. God allows our paths to intersect. We touch each other’s hearts and are made the better because of that. How special and unique you are to have really known the person that passed away. You were blessed.

 

Fourth, the first holidays with an empty seat hurt. There is no getting around that. Time is a wonderful healer. You will always miss that empty seat, but with time, it becomes a pleasant memory. In many ways grief is like surgery. At first, it just flat out hurts. With time, the pain lessens. There is no way to fast forward through the first year. It is part of the healing process. Others have gotten through it and so can you, especially with God’s help.

Fifth, with out realizing this, others are watching you. Those in the family are watching you, your friends are watching you and those in the church are watching you. They are there for you. You do not journey alone. That’s wonderful. But more than that, they are learning from you. Their time will come. It does for all of us. Others will be where you are now. We don’t wish that upon anyone but the Scriptures are true, “It’s appointed unto man to die once…”  Next year, there will be someone where you are. People will remember how you journey through the holiday with a seat empty. Your spiritual strength will inspire others. It will teach others. It will be an example. What you are going through is much bigger than just you. Others will see you.

Finally, thoughts of your loved one will bring tears for certain, but how would that person want you to go through this holiday? Most, would say that they’d expect you to gather with family, make memories, share life, laughter and continue on. They wouldn’t want their death to ruin you or keep you from enjoying life. They want you to be thankful. They want you to smile again.

 

For those who chose to walk with the Lord, we know, we believe, that a day is coming in which every seat of the righteous will be filled. There will be no empty seats. All of God’s children will be together. That will be marvelous. That thought motivates us, even at the holiday time, to teach and remind our family members who are not Christians to give Jesus a chance. Talk about it. Share. Tell them why you are, even with an empty seat. It also motivates us to continue on. We want that grand reunion in Heaven someday. The journey for us is not over. There are more things to be done here. The kingdom work continues. We must be engaged in that until God calls us home.

Home for the holidays is hard for some families. Be mindful of that. Include those families in your prayers. Go out of your way to give them a hug. Don’t pry. Don’t be nosey. But be there. It helps. Do something special for them. It helps knowing that others are thinking of you, especially with  empty seat at the table.

May God especially bless those families that have an empty seat for the first time. Tears and smiles seem to go together, like mashed potatoes and gravy. Our family will be thinking about your family. We will offer special prayers just for you and your family.

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 983

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

 

Jump Start # 983

Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

 

The right word spoken the right way at the right time can do so much good. It can encourage a weary soul who is ready to quit. It can strengthen and turn a doubting heart. It can express appreciation and thankfulness to  one who feels like no one cares or recognizes all the work that has been done. A word fitly spoken. A word that fits.

Some words do not fit. Some words tear down. Some words destroy. Some words bring gloom and doubt. Bad news will do that. The news of a marriage that failed will do that. The news of one who has quit the spiritual walk will do that. Some seem to thrive in the spreading of bad news. Our passage talks about the right word. A word that was thought out. A word that was given some consideration. A word that is thought to help. The right word.

Our passage speaks of apples of gold in settings of silver. Golden apples. I have always imagined a painting that was mostly silver in color. Right in the middle of the painting was a bowl of gold apples. Your eye would be drawn to the gold apples. They would stand out. You would remember that. The fitly spoken word is like that. It stands out. It is something that you remember. It is something that has helped you.

Consider some fitly spoken words:

The genuine compliment would be one. We can throw out compliments that seem shallow and cheap, and do not express much value. We can also take the time to express the good and appreciation that someone has done for us. Compliments are like syrup on pancakes. Too much syrup and it’s no good. Not enough and something is missing. But when it’s just right, there is nothing like it. Compliments are the same way. Too much and it seems shallow and vain. Not enough and it seems that someone is being taken for granted. But just right, it does a soul good. We need to give compliments and we need to be able to receive compliments. I find that it is easier to give than to receive in this area. Some folks deflate a compliment. You express appreciation for a fine meal and some will excuse away the compliment by saying it was nothing. When someone compliments you, they are showing appreciation and expressing thankfulness for what you have done. Tell them thank you in return. Saying “thank you” to airline attendants, those that serve in hotels and restaurants, and even to the guy who cleans up the movie theatre between shows is like apples of gold to folks you don’t receive much appreciation.

 

The word of truth is another fitly spoken word. Sometimes that word comes as a gentle correction. A child needs to be corrected because of an attitude problem or being sassy, someone misstates something about God, someone makes an error in a speech or sermon—kindly correcting them helps them. Remember, the word is to be fitly spoken. Correction to be right, must fit. Our attitude, our tone, has much to do with whether or not the word fits or is right. Correcting someone, as the Bible teaches, must be done with gentleness. Some forget that. They think if someone is wrong, especially doctrinally, the gloves come off, and the sword comes out, and what happens next doesn’t matter, because I told him the truth. Really? Is that a word that fits? Even in correction, there is a right way and a wrong way. May we always seek the right way.

 

Prayer is another fitly spoken word. Prayer is a soul talking with God. Prayer, when offered with the right motives, attitudes and heart is most fitting. Prayer is reaching out to God. Prayer is inviting God’s will into our life. Prayer is seeking God. It includes asking, thanking, seeking, and begging for mercy.

 

There’s never a place that prayer doesn’t fit.

 

Words that fit. God wants us to be using those words. Toss out the words that do not fit. Give thought to what you say. Old timers used to say that God gave us two ears and one mouth and that ought to remind us to listen more than we speak. That’s hard for some of us, including the guy writing this. Some of us are always talking. We must realize that not everything fits. You know what it’s like when something doesn’t fit. You are going on a trip and you have so many clothes that they won’t fit in your suitcase. That’s a problem. You are traveling and you have more stuff than will fit in your car. At Thanksgiving, if we are not careful, we can eat so much that not another bite will fit in. We call that being stuffed. Square pegs will not fit in round holes. The advice of a fool doesn’t fit with those who want to walk with God.

 

God wants you to look for words that fit. The right word for the right setting. That’s hard. I’ve stood by many family members at the funeral home. Some people say dumb things. They don’t know what to say but feel compelled to say something. Most times what they say doesn’t fit. It would be better to simply say, “I’m sorry,” and give a hug. That’s the best you can do. Some are nosey. They want to know if you are going to stay in the house, they want to know if they left you any life insurance, they want to know how much the funeral costs, they want to know what you are going to do with the car the person had—they pry and ask personal stuff, right there standing in line at the funeral home. Those words do not fit.

What is behind all of this is the idea of thinking before you speak. Give thought to what you are saying. Some are gifted at this, and others have to really work at this. Fitted words. That’s what God wants.

I wonder how many have quit going to church services because someone said something that didn’t fit? Instead of helping, it hurt. Instead of inviting, it closed doors. Instead of being Christ-like, it was selfish and rude.

 

Fitted words. We need them in our marriages, with the kids, at work, among brethren and just about everywhere. Work at that. Some things simply do not fit. Don’t force them.

Roger

 

22

Jump Start # 982

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 982

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”

Our verse today is a great reminder and motto for Christians to live by. This is good for us. We can forget and even slow down in our efforts and spirit with the Lord. The passion and drive that fuels our faith can be diminished by the many activities of life. We get busy with the here and now and put the eternal on the back burner. Often, most often, it’s not intentional, it just happens. We get consumed with work projects, house stuff, finishing school, taking care of parents, holiday plans that our spiritual life seems to get shoved to the back. All of this takes a toll on us. Unless the spiritual is in the front seat of our life, our souls and character and even relationships take a beating. We tend to be less patient and more cranky than we ought to. We get more obsessed with the worldly and our priorities tend to get out of order.

 

This verse is a great help. There are three wonderful thoughts here.

 

First, we have been instructed on how to walk. This walk is defined by God. It is not a step, but a walk. It is a journey. This is a life’s walk. Paul reminds the brethren that they had been instructed in this walk. This is not something that they just figured out or stumbled upon. It is not something that is different for each person. It is not something that just came to them on their own. They had been taught. They had been instructed. The walk with God is a learned walked. It is a divine walk because it is defined by the divine word of God. This tells us that we need to instruct others how to walk. Just coming to church services doesn’t mean that they will get it. They must be instructed. It is a learned process.

 

Second, we are to please God. Pleasing God is the drive in all that we do. Please God. To please, is to do what God wants. To please is to follow His will. To please is to make God happy. God can be happy with us. In the parable of the talents, the master responded, “Well done, good and faithful…” He was pleased and happy with what the servant had done. The Thessalonians were instructed how to walk and please God. We need this. Folks don’t get that today. They want to please self. If they are not happy, they complain. They want to be happy. In the words of Phil, on Duck Dynasty, “Happy, happy, happy.” That’s what drives marriages. When one is no longer happy, they want out. Doesn’t matter what God says or how the spouse feels. If they are not happy with their work, they quit. If they are not happy with the church, off they go looking for another one. Happy Meals, happy trails, happy times—is it any one that the media has termed the generation, “The ME generation.” We see this in the magazines. There was Life. Then there was People. Then there was US. Now there is a magazine called SELF. Please God. What is it that God wants. Faithfulness to God may take you through some dark valleys, difficult times and require a huge amount of faith and trust. God is good. God is good to us. However, our happiness can lead us away from Him. Pleasing God must come first. This is what worship ought to be about. This is what our marriages ought to be about. This is what our lives ought to be about.

Third, excel still more. Don’t settle. Don’t just get by. Don’t do what is average. Don’t go along with everyone else. Excel. Excel still more. Excel in walking with God. Excel in pleasing God. Go the second mile. Do more than is expected and required. What does this thinking do with our attendance? The person who is excelling still more won’t be asking, “Do we have to go so much?” Not at all. The person who is excelling still more is looking for more ways to serve, more ways to follow, more ways to please. I wonder if our greatest threat is not error but compliancy. Just going with the flow. Just doing what we have always done before. Where is the excelling? Where is the push?

This is what the apostle wanted from the Thessalonians. Don’t you think he wants the same from us? The more the spiritual is in us, the less Satan impacts us. The more the spiritual is in us, the more positive influence we will have upon others. Our first thought will be the spiritual way. Our first answer will be the Biblical answer. Our first choice will be what God wants. Excel. Going beyond. If a person must ask, “Why should I?” they have not mastered pleasing God. The person bent on pleasing God is the person who has no problem with excelling more. Please comes first. Excel follows.

 

Three thoughts: walk in the way you have been instructed; please God; excel still more. Think you can do that? God does.

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 981

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

 

Jump Start # 981

1 Timothy 2:8 “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.”

 

This passage came to mind recently. I was working on a slide for powerpoint. I wanted a picture of worship. I Googled the word “worship” and tons of pictures came up. The majority of them had people with their hands raised in the air. That got me to thinking about our hands in worship, especially during singing and praying. There was a time when we held song books in our hands while we sang. Now, with projecting the songs on a large screen, we seldom use song books. What are we to do with our hands? It’s like at a wedding and you see all the groomsmen up front, no one is sure what to do with their hands. I noticed the other day in worship, some holding babies, some couples holding hands, some with hands in pockets, some holding on to the pew in front of them. I didn’t see anyone lifting up their hands in the air. Typically we do not raise our hands during singing. There are occasions when we do read about lifting up hands in the Bible.

 

  • Nehemiah 8:6 “Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

 

  • Psalms 141:2 “May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.”

 

Whenever a subject like this is discussed, someone immediately will say, “Are you advocating raising hands?” About the same time, someone will suggest, “Is it wrong to raise our hands?” And of course, the other side is always presented, “Is it wrong if I do not raise my hands?” Or, more bluntly, “Do I have to raise my hands?”

 

We tend to bow our heads when we pray. There are probably more examples of people flat on the ground praying than bowing. Some in the Bible actually raised their faces to Heaven when they prayed. You don’t see that very much these days.

 

In our verse today, Paul wanted men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands. Praying in every place. That would include the church house, our house, the court house, the school house, the White House, inside, outside, at the ballgame, during the concert, at work, in the break room, in the board room, in the restaurant, in the movie theatre, in the grocery store, on the road, in the car…I believe I am beginning to sound like Dr. Seuss. Everywhere. There is not a place that prayer does not belong nor does not fit. The lifting up of holy hands can be taken literal but there are some occasions when a person just can’t do that. Jesus couldn’t lift up His hands on the cross. They were nailed tight to the cross. Yet, He prayed. A person may have both hands on the wheel of a car and are in a very difficult situation and cannot lift up their hands. A person may have their hands full, or may be holding a child and cannot lift up their hands. The lifting up of holy hands refers to the reverence and attitude of prayer. A person is praying to God. Now, having said that, we often discount the lifting up of our hands. Can a person really do that? Why not? I do not find that it was a congregation edict, but rather a private matter between a soul and his God. Understand, lifting up hands does not make a prayer better, faster, or more genuine. The lifting up of holy hands does more for the person praying than for God. It reminds us that we are dependent upon God. It shows our allegiance to God. As a child holds out their hands for a parent, a disciple lifts up his hands to the God he loves and adores.

I find that topics like this cause some to hit the warning button. They fear. They fear what’s next. They fear because it is different than what we are used to. Our customs and traditions serve a wonderful purpose but sometimes they can trip us and stand in the way of a growing faith. Our traditions are just that, traditions. They ought to be based upon Bible ways but too often we can use our traditions as a point of judgment for someone who does things differently.

So, where does all of this go? What is the conclusion? What are you saying? Can a person pray with their hands in the air? Yes. Now, the person doing it needs to check his reasons for doing so. Is he trying to draw attention to himself? Wrong attitude. Is he just trying to be different or worse, a radical? Wrong attitude. Is it a crutch that he feels is necessary to talk to God? He can’t pray unless he raises his hands? Faith issue. Is it something that his heart leads him to do? Do it. Do it alone. Do it by yourself. Don’t think you are more spiritual because your hands are in the air. Don’t think you’ve found some secret key to being a strong Christian. You haven’t. It’s like bowing our heads and closing our eyes. Only way to pray? No. That’s not a good form to have when driving. You best keep your head up and your eyes on the road while driving. Are prayers better when our heads are bowed? No. Are our prayers better with our eyes closed? No. Are we more spiritual for doing that? No. It is a way to pray. It’s not the only way. Don’t make more of this than intended. What comes from our hearts and what we are saying to God is much more important than my posture, position and what I do with my hands. Prayer is a soul connecting with God. Prayer is thanking, seeking and asking God.

If I never in my entire life raise my hands in prayer, can I go to Heaven? Yes. Am I a better Christian because I do not raise my hands? No. Can I judge someone who is raising their hands as a radical? No. Let God take care of them and their heart. You focus upon your heart and your God.

 

I doubt when Paul wrote the words of our verse that he ever expected such an uproar over the expression, “lifting up holy hands.” Maybe our socks are on too tight! Maybe we are too engrained in our traditions. Maybe it is ok to take a breath and simply do what the Bible says.

What too often happens, is that we fuss too much about the lifting up of holy hands and we ignore all together the praying everywhere. Maybe there would be less of a fuss if we prayed about it while we discussed it.

God wants you praying. God wants you praying everywhere you are. The more we did that, the better we would be, with or without hands raised.

Roger